Acidic drainage from abandoned coal mines killing streams in Jaintia Hills

Abandoned rat-hole coal mines in Jaintia Hills continue to leach acid mine drainage (pH 2.5–3.5) into the Lukha and Myntdu rivers, killing aquatic life. NGT banned rat-hole mining in 2014 but post-ban restoration of abandoned mines has not happened. The Meghalaya govt has received Rs 47 crore under National Mineral Development Fund for remediation; utilisation is minimal. A structured mine-closure and stream remediation programme is urgently needed.