Centre allows oil, gas exploration near Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has approved oil and gas exploratory drilling by Vedanta Group’s Cairn Oil and Gas in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Jorhat district, EastMojo reported on Sunday.

The decision, taken during the board’s meeting on December 21, was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

Assam’s forest department had recommended the project for clearance in August 2023 on the grounds of “national interest”, reported PTI.

Eco-sensitive zones, declared under the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act, are meant to act as buffer zones or “shock absorbers” between areas of human habitation and protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The Hollongapar sanctuary spans 21 sq km, with its eco-sensitive zone extending over 264.9 sq km to connect with the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest and forested areas in Nagaland. This area is home to seven primate species, including the endangered hoolock gibbon, India’s only ape.

The exploration for oil and gas just outside the Hollongapar sanctuary will require 4.5 hectares of land, including a 1.4-hectare well pad and a 3-hectare access road. These will be located 13 km from the protected area.

After a site inspection on November 15, officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the…

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