From deterioration of water quality to unusual weather patterns
Nagaland is facing severe challenges due to coal mining activities. According to a recent study by Amankumar Singh (2024), titled “Impacts of Coal Mining in Nagaland: Societal, Environmental, and Climate Change,” the repercussions of coal extraction in the region are both profound and multifaceted.
Nagaland accounts for a total reserve of 478.31 million metric tons of coal, of which only 8.76 million metric tons are measured. Around 21.83 million metric tons are indicated, and 447.72 million metric tons are inferred.
According to the study, the first ever coal mine in Nagaland was discovered in 1907 by the British East India Company, in Borjan and Kongan soil near Naganimora in the Konyak area. Currently, a total of 5 coal mines accounts for an area of 67.58 sq. km., the largest of which is the Yimchenkimong-Molungyimsen Coal Block with an area of 30.56 sq. km., which is almost half of the total reserve of Nagaland.
The state, according to the study, is experiencing significant socio-environmental issues as a result of mining. These impacts include pollution, displacement, and the destruction of local flora, as reported by the Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB). Although major displacements are rare, mining activities have adversely affected communities on a grassroots level. Indigenous tribes, who rely heavily on nature and livestock, have raised health concerns linked to coal mining. The Konyak Union has been vocal about safety and ethical issues in mining practices since 2008. Toxic substances released during mining, such as arsenic, copper, and lead, contribute to serious health problems and land abandonment. Coal dust exacerbates respiratory conditions among miners and nearby residents.
Additionally, the activities of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India (ONGC) between 1987 and 1993, despite being banned, led to the emergence of several coal mines in abandoned infrastructure areas. This has caused damage to cultivated lands, natural springs, and aquatic life, raising concerns about the loss of cultural and natural resources.
The study also found that Nagaland’s rich biodiversity, including around 81,000 species of flora and 47,000 species of fauna, is also under threat. In the early 1980s, the state’s forest cover was 49%, with high-quality forest making up 29.8%. Due to increased mining and deforestation, this high-quality forest cover has now decreased to approximately 20%. Water quality in Nagaland’s rivers, such as the Tzurong River and its tributaries, is deteriorating. Effluents from coal mines, including acid mine drainage (AMD) and elevated levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), copper, and iron, contribute to high acidity. Out of 14 sample sites, only one displayed good water quality, while others had a Water Quality Index (WOI) ranging from 160 to 290. Major water bodies in the region show a pH level above 3, indicating significant contamination.
Air quality is another major concern. Mining activities release sulfur dioxide and other pollutants, contributing to high levels of air pollution. According to studies reported by the Nagaland Post, coal burning releases around 75 Tg/S per year of sulfur dioxide, raising concerns about greenhouse gases and global warming. The Air Quality Index for Nagaland currently ranges from 150 to 170. Soil quality in mining-affected areas has also declined, with significant changes in moisture content, porosity, texture, and pH levels, impacting local biodiversity and ecosystems.
India’s net GHG emissions from 2005 to 2018 total 2952.87 Mt CO‚ , with Nagaland contributing 10.52 Mt CO‚ , or 0.36% of the national total. Coal-related emissions account for 3% of these figures. Recent climate data indicate that Nagaland is experiencing excessive rainfall and rising temperatures. The Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment projects a temperature increase of 1.6°C to 1.8°C and a 10-20% increase in precipitation from 2021 to 2050 compared to 1961-1990. The rise in fossil fuel use and CO‚ emissions is impacting both the indigenous people and flora of Nagaland. Significant changes include unusual weather patterns, such as snowfall in Aghunato in 2007, and a decrease in migratory bird populations, linked to alterations in carbon sequestration patterns.