Impact on water due to mining

The water bodies of the coal mining areas are the greatest victims in terms of qualitative degradation
and quantitative depletion. The streams and rivers are badly affected by contamination of acid mine
drainage originating from mines and spoils, leaching of heavy metals, organic enrichment and silting by
coal and sand particles.
The water of streams and rivers of all three regions (Jaintia, Khasi and Garo) have been found affected
by coal mining. The adverse effects are severe in Jaintia Hills as most of the streams in coal mining areas
have become highly acidic. However, in Garo Hills, only a few rivers or stretches of rivers have turned
acidic due to coal mining.
Due to the Karst topography of Meghalaya, only a few perennial surface water bodies are present in
coal and limestone deposit areas leading to water scarcity in the lean period. Mining of coal and
limestone as well as the establishment of cement plants in the region have further aggravated the water
scarcity in the area. Due to excavation of land and disturbance of landscape, many streams in the area
have become seasonal as water of streams percolates into the ground.
In many areas, people face real difficulty in fetching clean drinking water. Poor people are worst
affected. Also, the entire coal mining area of the Jaintia Hills is dotted with mine pits and caves from
where surface water percolates into the ground. As a result, smaller streams and rivers of the area,
which served as lifelines for the people are either completely disappearing or becoming seasonal.
Consequently, the area is facing an acute shortage of clean drinking and irrigation water either due to
pollution of available water or due to the percolation of surface water into the ground.