The Union environment ministry has given in-principle approval for the diversion of around 4.50 hectares of forest land in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary for oil and gas exploration by Vedanta Group’s Cairn Oil & Gas.
Notably, the area is home to the endangered hoolock gibbon, India’s only ape species.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Forest Advisory Committee on 27th August, according to minutes published on the Parivesh portal.
The drilling will take place in the sanctuary's eco-sensitive zone in Jorhat district.
Earlier, on 8th August, Assam's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden recommended the clearance, stating that the project serves "national interest."
The area also serves as a corridor for wild elephants between the sanctuary and the Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest.
Officials assured minimal tree felling and no harm to wildlife habitats.
The state’s wildlife conservation and human-animal conflict management plan, with a budget of Rs 5.57 crore, was submitted alongside the project proposal.
The panel also instructed the state government to follow strict safety measures, referring to a parliamentary report on the 2020 Baghjan blowout incident in Assam, which had significant environmental impacts.
While the oil exploration is considered crucial for national energy security, the move has raised concerns about the delicate ecosystem, particularly with respect to the hoolock gibbon, whose survival depends on these forests.
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