The Hoolock gibbon, India’s solely ape species, is present in the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Jorhat district, Assam. The Sanctuary spans 20.98 sq km, whereas its ESZ covers 264.92 sq km. Photograph: Particular Association
The Centre’s wildlife panel has permitted a proposal to hold out oil and gasoline exploration within the eco-sensitive zone of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Jorhat district.
The Standing Committee of the Nationwide Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Atmosphere Minister Bhupender Yadav, permitted the proposal by Vedanta Group’s Cairn Oil and Gasoline throughout its assembly on December 21, in response to the minutes of the assembly.
Assam’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden had advisable clearance for the venture in August final 12 months, citing “nationwide curiosity”.
The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Atmosphere Ministry had additionally granted in-principle approval throughout its assembly on August 27 final 12 months.
In accordance with the minutes of the NBWL assembly, a group comprising officers from the Union Atmosphere Ministry, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the Assam Forest Division inspected the venture website, positioned about 13 km from the sanctuary, on November 15.
The inspection committee discovered that exploratory drilling would trigger minimal injury, however mentioned business drilling wouldn’t be allowed.
Vedanta Group has given a written assurance that no business drilling shall be carried out on the website.
A senior official within the Ministry identified that exploratory drilling is a key step in hydrocarbon extraction, which may result in business drilling.
One other official mentioned the inspection committee’s report advisable no oil or gasoline extraction from inside the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), even when reserves have been found.
The officers mentioned Vedanta Group had dedicated that exploration on the website would solely be for figuring out hydrocarbon reserves. Any extraction, if reserves have been found, could be carried out from exterior the ESZ.
The corporate additionally assured that no hazardous substances could be used throughout the exploration course of, the officers mentioned.
They mentioned the venture website lay in a disputed space on the Assam-Nagaland border.
The inspection group needed to cross a Nagaland test publish and was obtained by the Border Justice of the Peace of Nagaland and native Naga residents.
Native communities knowledgeable the group that no drilling operations could be allowed with out permission from the Village Council and the Nagaland authorities, the officers mentioned.
The Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary spans 20.98 sq km, whereas its ESZ covers 264.92 sq km. The massive ESZ ensures connectivity between the sanctuary, the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest, and forested areas in Nagaland. This connectivity is essential for the seven species of primates discovered within the space.
The officers highlighted that the sanctuary is already underneath stress on account of human actions. A railway line passing by means of the sanctuary can be set to be electrified, a proposal advisable by the Standing Committee.
Printed – January 13, 2025 01:45 am IST
