The Union Ministry of Environment has granted in-principle approval for oil and gas exploration in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is the sole habitat of India’s only ape species, the endangered hoolock gibbon. The approval, announced on September 14, allows Cairn Oil & Gas, a Vedanta Group company, to divert 4.49 hectares of forest land in Jorhat district for this purpose.
According to the minutes from a meeting posted on the Parivesh portal, the Forest Advisory Committee approved the land diversion on August 27. This followed an earlier endorsement by Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) on August 8, who highlighted “national interest” as a key factor.
The exploration site falls within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the sanctuary, which also serves as a vital corridor for wild elephant migration between the Hoollongapar Sanctuary and the Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest. Addressing environmental concerns, officials have stated that there will be minimal tree felling and that the wildlife habitat will remain protected.
To mitigate potential negative impacts, a Rs 5.57 crore wildlife conservation and human-animal conflict management plan has been proposed. Additionally, the state government has been instructed to adhere strictly to safety guidelines, especially in light of the 2020 Baghjan blowout incident, which serves as a cautionary measure.
This move has sparked debate, with some raising concerns about the ecological implications. However, authorities insist that the project will be conducted responsibly, aiming to balance developmental needs with environmental conservation.
