SHILLONG, Sep 22: The Justice (retired) BP Katakey-headed one-man committee has recommended that ways and means should be found out urgently for an aerial survey after the completion of the transportation of entire quantity of re-assessed/re-verified inventoried coal.
Referring to an August 9, 2024 communication issued by the head of Remote Sensing Application Group, North East Space Applications Centre (NESAC) and forwarded by the Under Secretary to Mining and Geology Department, the 25th interim report of the High Court of Meghalaya-constituted committee said it appeared the Mining and Geology Department had requested the NESAC for sharing up-to-date satellite images of coal dumps.
The committee said the Mining and Geology Department was subsequently informed about the non-availability of any recent high resolution Indian satellite images covering East Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts, showing the coal dump areas.
The committee said the NESAC, however, sent a screenshot of the availability of foreign high resolution satellite data of Meghalaya and the adjacent region, covering the period from January 2023 to May 2024.
In its 24th interim report, the committee had spoken about the need to involve the NESAC in the process of conducting the aerial survey to find out the availability of coal, other than the re-assessed/re-verified inventoried coal already transported to the designated depots, and also the coal already seized under the provisions of the MMDR Act, 1957.
This, the committee said, is necessary for taking appropriate action under the provisions of the MMDR Act and also to inspire the confidence of the people of the state as the allegations of continued illegal mining activities are still being levelled at different quarters, including print and social media.
In view of the communication issued by the NESAC, the Mining and Geology Department was told to urgently arrange a meeting of the committee with the Director and other officials of the NESAC to find out the ways and means for the aerial survey.
