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UPSC Prelims 2008 · Indian Geography · Minerals and Energy
In which one of the following states are Namchik-Namphuk Coalfields located?
- (a) Arunachal Pradesh
- (b) Meghalaya
- (c) Manipur
- (d) Mizoram
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) Arunachal Pradesh
Namchik-Namphuk coalfields are in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
The idea
North-eastern coal belongs largely to younger Tertiary sedimentary rocks, unlike the main Gondwana coal belt of peninsular India. Deposits follow rock basins rather than a single State boundary. A named field needs a district anchor instead of a general “north-east has coal” association.
Why the others are wrong
(b) Meghalaya has coal (Garo, Khasi hills) but not this field.
The trap
Meghalaya is the famous NE coal State.
Also know
Makum–Margherita in Assam is another Tertiary coal anchor; Meghalaya has coal in its Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hill regions. Younger north-eastern coal often differs from Gondwana coal in sulphur and ash. Changlang also helps locate this field near the eastern Assam–Arunachal region.
🔒 NE coal: Makum (Assam), Namchik-Namphuk (Arunachal), Garo/Khasi hills (Meghalaya).
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