Consider the following statements regarding Rat Hole Mining: Statement I: It poses significant safety and environmental hazards. Statement II: It is a method of extracting coal from narrow seams using small vertical shafts and horizontal tunnels. Statement III: It persists in Meghalaya and Assam. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

The correct answer is option 2. In News In Dima Hasao district of Assam, a recent rat-hole coal mine flooding incident trapped nine workers, three of whom were confirmed dead. Key Points Rat-hole mining is manual, often lacks safety measures, and results in environmental degradation like water pollution and deforestation. Hence, Statement I is correct. Rat-hole mining involves narrow pits and horizontal tunnels for coal extraction, a practice common in Meghalaya due to its topography and thin coal seams. Hence, Statement II is correct and explains Statement I. The NGT banned rat-hole mining in 2014, citing its hazardous impacts on workers and the environment. Despite the ban, illegal mining persists in parts of Meghalaya and Assam. Hence, Statement III is correct but does not explain Statement I. Additional Information Types of Rat-Hole Mining: Side-cutting: Narrow tunnels dug horizontally into hill slopes to extract thin seams of coal. Box-cutting: Vertical pits are dug first, followed by horizontal tunnels to reach coal seams. Environmental Impact : Leads to deforestation, water contamination, and land degradation. Acid mine drainage pollutes local water bodies, affecting biodiversity. NGT Ban and its Enforcement: The NGT imposed a ban on rat-hole mining in 2014, citing frequent accidents and ecological harm. However, the Meghalaya government filed appeals, and illegal mining persists despite legal restrictions. Safety Concerns : Lack of ventilation, absence of safety gear, and risk of tunnel collapse or flooding are key hazards.