Forest Department Cracks Down on Illegal Coal Mining in Assam’s Tipong Forest Reserve

In a significant operation, the Lekhapani Forest Range Office, under the Digboi Forest Division, apprehended five individuals involved in illegal coal mining from the protected Tipong Forest Reserve on Wednesday morning. 

The operation, spearheaded by Range Officer Parishmita Neog and her team, targeted unlawful rat-hole mining activities in the region. The arrested individuals, identified as Subedar N. Sangma, Ajoy M. Sangma, Danen Sangma, Stik Momin, and Jaan Marak—all residents of Meghalaya—were caught red-handed during the operation.

A case (LP/12 of 2024-25) has been filed against the accused under the Assam Forest Regulation Act, 1891. Following their arrest, the individuals were remanded to judicial custody. Range Officer Neog emphasized the swift action of her team, stating, “These individuals entered the protected Tipong Forest Reserve area for illegal coal mining. Our team managed to apprehend all five of them before significant damage could be caused.”

Despite these efforts, the region continues to grapple with rampant illegal coal mining activities. Areas such as Namdang Colliery, Tikak Colliery, and the Ledo Open Cast Project, which fall under North Eastern Coalfields Coal India Ltd., Margherita, have emerged as hotspots for unauthorized mining. 

Local residents and activists have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of action against larger coal mafia networks. Allegations of inaction have been directed at officials, including the Margherita Sub-Divisional Commissioner, the Margherita MLA, the Tinsukia District Commissioner, and local law enforcement agencies.

While daily-wage laborers are frequently arrested during such crackdowns, the masterminds behind illegal mining operations reportedly continue to evade accountability. Environmentalists and civil society groups have called for stricter enforcement of laws to protect Assam’s forest reserves. They warn that unchecked illegal mining not only threatens the region’s fragile ecology but also disrupts the livelihoods of local communities.

In response to these challenges, the Forest Department has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Assam’s natural resources and curbing illegal mining. The department has pledged to intensify operations against unregulated activities and ensure the protection of the state’s forest reserves.

This recent operation underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts between authorities, environmental groups, and local communities to combat illegal mining and preserve Assam's ecological balance.