Congress MP from Assam and Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi has raised strong objections against a proposed oil and gas exploration project by Vedanta in the eco-sensitive zone of Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.
In a letter to the Union Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, Gogoi expressed grave concerns over the potential threat to the sanctuary’s unique biodiversity.
Gogoi's letter underlined that the sanctuary is a critical habitat for the endangered Hoolock Gibbons, India’s only ape species, and urged the minister to reject the Assam Wildlife Department’s recommendation to grant forest clearance for the project, even with conditions.
"The sanctuary is a critical habitat for the endangered Hoolock Gibbon. The Assam Wildlife Department’s recommendation to grant forest clearance for the project, even with conditions, is deeply troubling. While I understand the potential economic benefits of the project, these cannot come at the expense of our natural heritage and endangered wildlife," he wrote.
Ecosystem at risk
The Congress MP argued that the project could result in severe deforestation, pollution, and other environmental impacts that would irreversibly damage the sanctuary.
The letter questioned the Assam Wildlife Department's stance, suggesting that it prioritises economic gains over environmental conservation.
He urged the Environment Minister to prioritise the protection of the sanctuary and explore alternative energy projects that do not threaten Assam's delicate ecosystems.
The letter also appealed for a review of the current recommendation to ensure the preservation of the state's rich biodiversity.
Unique wildlife haven
Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, formerly known as Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserved Forest, is located in Assam’s Jorhat district. It was officially constituted and renamed in 1997.
The sanctuary is home to the endangered Hoolock Gibbons and the Bengal slow loris, the only nocturnal primate in northeastern India.
Surrounded by tea gardens and villages, the sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot. As of 2023, it hosts 125 Hoolock Gibbons, 219 bird species, various snakes, and 211 butterfly species.
"The nature of the ecosystem and its inhabitants at Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is irreplaceable. There is a need for sustainable development over destructive exploitation," Gogoi maintained.
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