Rat-hole mining

• Rat-hole mining, of two types, is so named as it involves digging tunnels 3-4 feet deep, barely allowing workers to crawl in and out.
• They have to squat while extracting coal with pickaxes.
• The side-cutting type of mining is usually done on hill slopes by following a coal seam – dark brown or black-banded coal deposited within layers of rock – visible from the outside.
• The second type called box-cutting entails digging a circular or squarish pit at least 5 sq. metre in width up to a depth of 400 feet.
• Miners who drop down in makeshift cranes or using rope-and-bamboo ladders dig horizontally after finding the coal seam.
• The tunnels are dug in every direction from the edge of the pit, resembling the tentacles of an octopus.
• Some workers from Assam lost their lives in the coal mines of Meghalaya, dug using this crude method, before and after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it in April 2014.

Why is such mining banned?

• The government has little control over the land in Meghalaya, a Sixth Schedule State where the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act of 1973 does not apply.
• The landowners are thus also the owners of the minerals beneath.
• Coal mining boomed after Meghalaya attained statehood in January 1972.
• However, the terrain and expenses involved discouraged mine owners from employing advanced drilling machines.
• So, labourers mainly from Assam, Nepal, and adjoining Bangladesh risked the hazards of rat-hole mining – asphyxiation because of poor ventilation, collapse of mines due to lack of structural support, and flooding – to earn thrice or four times as much as working in farms or construction sites.
• Apart from issues of safety and health, unregulated mining led to land degradation, deforestation, and water with high concentrations of sulphates, iron, and toxic heavy metals, low dissolved oxygen, and high biochemical oxygen demand.
• At least two rivers, Lukha and Myntdu, became too acidic to sustain aquatic life.
• These factors led to the NGT banning rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014 while observing: “…there is umpteen number of cases where, by virtue of rat-hole mining, during the rainy season, water flooded into the mining areas resulting in the death of many…”
• Illegal mining and transportation of coal, as mentioned in the interim reports of a one-man committee appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya, has continued despite the ban and the loss of lives.
• At least 17 miners were drowned in an illegal mine in the East Jaintia Hills district’s Ksan in December 2018 after water gushed in from a river.

What led to the NGT ban?

• Environmentalists and human rights activists began flagging the hazards of rat-hole mining in Meghalaya two decades ago.
• The campaign intensified after Impulse, a Meghalaya-based NGO, began addressing the issue of human trafficking and child labour in such mines.
• Three reports prepared by the NGO estimated that about 70,000 children mostly from Bangladesh and Nepal were employed in these mines because they were the right size to work in them.
• The State’s Department of Mining and Geology refuted the claim but, under pressure from the National Human Rights Commission, admitted in June 2013 that 222 children were employed in rat-hole mines, specifically in the East Jaintia Hills district.
• The NGT ban came a year later.

Way forward:

• Unlike in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, coal seams in Meghalaya are very thin.
• This, miners say, makes rat-hole mining more economically viable than opencast mining.
• The State has an estimated reserve of 576.48 million tonnes of low-ash, high-sulphur coal belonging to the Eocene age (33-56 million years ago).
• The stakes for a section of locals have been so high that the State government has been under pressure to facilitate the resumption of mining legally.
• In May 2023, Meghalaya Chief Minister said the Coal Ministry approved mining leases for four of the 17 prospective licence applicants.
• This would lead to the commencement of ‘scientific’ mining ensuring minimal environmental impact through sustainable and legally compliant extraction procedures.
• Anti-mining activists, who are assaulted by miners off and on, said that ‘scientific’ would eventually be a fancy tag in a State where profit has driven coal mining.

UPSC Mains PYQ:

• In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development. Discuss. (2017)

IMD: Celebrating 150 Years of Excellence

Introduction:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, marks a significant milestone as it celebrates 150 years of dedicated service to the nation.
• Established in 1875, IMD has been at the forefront of providing critical weather and climate services, playing a vital role in disaster management, agriculture, aviation, and public safety.
• As the National Meteorological Service of India, IMD has been at the forefront of meteorology, seismology, and allied disciplines, playing an integral role in safeguarding lives, supporting economic development, and advancing scientific research for societal benefit.

IMD at 150 years:

• Prime Minister graced the 150th Foundation Day celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• Highlighting IMD’s remarkable journey, the Prime Minister noted that its 150-year legacy symbolizes India’s progress in modern science and technology.
• On this historic occasion, he launched ‘Mission Mausam,’ an initiative aimed at transforming India into a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation through advanced weather surveillance technologies, high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars, satellites, and high-performance computing systems.
• The Prime Minister also released the IMD Vision-2047 document, which outlines a roadmap for weather resilience and climate change adaptation as India prepares to mark 100 years of independence in 2047.
• The event featured workshops and activities showcasing IMD’s contributions to making India climate-resilient and providing critical weather and climate services.
• Celebrating 150 years of IMD reflects not just a milestone for the department but also India’s commitment to harnessing science for societal progress.

IMD: Origin and Significance

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875, following a series of catastrophic events that underscored the need for centralized meteorological services.
• Among these, a devastating tropical cyclone struck Calcutta in 1864, followed by monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871, highlighting the vulnerabilities of the Indian subcontinent to weather extremes.
• IMD’s establishment marked a pivotal moment in the development of meteorology in India, bringing all meteorological work under a unified authority.
• Since its inception, the department has played a crucial role in advancing meteorology as a modern physical science.
• It has continually upgraded its capabilities, employing cutting-edge technology and research to enhance weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster preparedness.
• IMD’s services have been instrumental in mitigating the impact of natural disasters, supporting agriculture, water management, aviation, and other sectors, and contributing to the socio-economic development of India and the broader region.
• Today, it stands as a cornerstone institution in weather and climate services, driving resilience and sustainability in the face of climate challenges.

IMD: Achievements and Advancements

• IMD has made significant advancements since its inception, reflecting its commitment to innovation and service enhancement. Key achievements include:

Pioneering Weather Observations:

• By 2023, IMD has replaced all Mercury Barometers with Digital Barometers by the UNEP Minamata convention (as mercury is hazardous to human health) at all Class I observatories.
• Enhanced agro-meteorological services with the deployment of 200 AGRO AWS stations.

Communication and Outreach:

• India Meteorological Department launched its Crowdsource web interface in January 2021 and the mobile App “Public Observation” on 14th January, 2022 to allow users to provide their weather feedback at anytime from anywhere.
• Crowd sourcing: Since 2021, IMD has started an online interface to collect the information of the weather that has occurred as well as the associated impact information for six weather events initially, viz., Rain, Hail, Duststorm, Wind Speed, Thunderstorm/Lightning & Fog.

Advances in Numerical Weather Prediction:

• Overall Forecast Accuracy witnessed a 40% improvement in 2023 as compared to 2014.
• Expansion of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network from 15 in 2014 to 39 in 2023 with land area of coverage increased by about 35% from 2014.
• The successful prediction of cyclones like Phailin (2013), Hudhud (2014), Fani (2019), Amphan (2020), Tauktae (2021), Biparjoy (2023), and Dana (2024) has demonstrated our capabilities and the value of our services in saving lives and reducing economic losses.
• With the accurate cyclone warning by IMD, the number of deaths has reduced from 10,000 in 1999 to Zero in 2020-2024

Technological Advancements:

• High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model for Nowcasting of Rainfall & Reflectivity forecasts.
• Electric Weather Research and Forecasting (EWRF) model for Nowcast of Lightning density & Accumulated Rainfall forecasts
• Mausamgram, an interactive and dynamic meteogram which provides location specific weather forecast information was released during the IMD’s 150th foundation celebration day.
• Increase in the number of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) from 1350 in 2014 to 1382 in 2023.
• Increase in the number of District-wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (DRMS) stations from 3955 in 2014 to 5896 in 2023.

Make in India Initiative:

• IMD has been the front runner of the development of Indigenous technology, commencing with indigenous RADAR in 1958, and Indian Satellite products in collaboration with ISRO since 1983, Automatic Weather Station since 2000, Doppler Weather Radar since 2010, Common Alerting Protocol since 2019, Impact based Forecast since 2019, Dynamic composite risk atlas since 2022.

A Legacy of Excellence:

• As IMD celebrates its 150th anniversary, its legacy as a cornerstone of India’s development and safety is undeniable.
• From pioneering meteorological research to adopting state-of-the-art technology, IMD continues to evolve, ensuring its services remain relevant and impactful in an era of climate change and increasing weather unpredictability.
• With its unwavering commitment to innovation and service, IMD stands as a testament to the nation’s progress and resilience.

Gangasagar Mela

Context:

• Three people have died at the Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal this year

About Gangasagar Mela:

• Popularly regarded as the second largest Pilgrimage gathering, Ganga Sagar Mela takes place on the day when millions of pilgrims from several states in India gather to take a sacred dip in the confluence of River Ganga and the Bay of Bengal on Makar Sankranti.
• Gangasagar is not just the confluence of the mighty Ganga and the choppy waters of Bay of Bengal, but also the meeting ground for thousands of pilgrims every year who come to this Holy Land from across the world.
• The Gangasagar Mela happens to be one of the most famous religious fairs of the world, celebrated with great pomp and grandeur.
• The West Bengal government has over the years turned this sacred mela to a global tourist destination.
• It is believed a holy dip at the confluence on Makar Sankranti cleanses all sins.
• The mela explored by foreign tourists and those from different parts of India is a confluence of cultures, attire, food and even religious beliefs.
• The sacred atmosphere of Kapil Munir Ashram and the enigmatic ambience of the vibrant fair grounds attract tourists every year.
• Gangasagar, the land where faith meets belief, lies about 100 Km from Kolkata on the southern tip of the Gangetic delta, under the jurisdiction of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
• Gangasagar or Sagar Island, a tract of land cut from the mainland, creates an unparallel religious ambience with vast swathes of silver sands, clear sky, deep blue ocean and the iconic Kapil Muni Ashram.
• These are the shores where the holy Ganges meets the ocean after a journey of thousands of kilometres.

About Sagar Island:

• Sagar Island, westernmost island of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, West Bengal state, northeastern India.
• It lies at the mouth of the Hugli (Hooghly) River, an arm of which separates it from the mainland to the east.
• Situated at a point where the Ganges (Ganga) River system meets the Bay of Bengal, the island is held to be particularly sacred and is a noted Hindu pilgrimage center.
• A three-day bathing festival and large fair are held annually.
• The island is subject to severe cyclones.
• It has a lighthouse on the southwestern shore to guide traffic up the Hugli.