In a move that has sparked significant debate, the Union Environment Ministry has granted “in-principle” approval for exploratory oil drilling in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat district, Assam. This approval allows Cairn Oil & Gas, a subsidiary of Vedanta Group, to proceed with oil exploration activities in an area that serves as the sole habitat for India’s only ape species, the endangered Hoolock gibbon.

The decision, formalized during a meeting on August 27, has resulted in the diversion of approximately 4.50 hectares of land within the sanctuary. The details of this approval were outlined in the minutes published on the Parivesh portal, which tracks environmental, forest, wildlife, and coastal regulatory clearances at various administrative levels.

Earlier in August, Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden had endorsed the forest clearance for the project, citing its alignment with “national interest.” The recommendation came despite the project’s location within the ESZ, an area critical for wildlife movement, particularly for wild elephants traveling between the sanctuary and the Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests emphasized the importance of conserving and managing wildlife within the ESZ. He highlighted the need for scientific interventions to mitigate potential impacts on local wildlife, including elephants and other species. A comprehensive wildlife conservation and human-animal conflict management plan, with a budget of Rs 5.57 crore, has been proposed to address these concerns.

In response to the approval, the ministry panel has instructed the state government to follow the safety guidelines set out in a parliamentary report concerning the Baghjan blowout incident of May 2020. This incident, which involved a gas well blowout in Assam, raised significant safety and environmental concerns, making adherence to safety protocols a key condition of the current approval.

Despite previous assurances from the Assam Forest Department that drilling activities would be conducted 13 kilometers away from the sanctuary’s boundary, the recent approval has reignited concerns among conservationists. The department had earlier stated that the drilling would not occur within the sanctuary’s limits and emphasized that “no significant infrastructure or permanent buildings” would be constructed as part of the project.

Additionally, the department had reported that the impact on local flora would be minimal, with only around 25 trees expected to be felled in the predominantly bamboo-dominated area. This statement, issued on September 6, aimed to address environmental concerns and reassure the public of the project’s minimal ecological footprint.

The Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, established to protect the Hoolock gibbon, is an area of exceptional ecological significance. The sanctuary’s unique biodiversity, including the presence of the only ape species found in India, underscores the potential impact of any development activities in the region.

Environmental groups and wildlife conservationists have expressed strong opposition to the drilling project, arguing that even minimal disruptions could have severe consequences for the sanctuary’s delicate ecosystem. They have called for a more rigorous assessment of the potential environmental impacts and greater transparency in the decision-making process.

The approval has also raised questions about the balance between economic development and environmental protection. Critics argue that while the project may contribute to national interests, it should not come at the expense of critical wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

As the project moves forward, the focus will remain on ensuring that all safety and environmental guidelines are strictly adhered to, and that the conservation measures proposed are effectively implemented. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between development and conservation in ecologically sensitive areas, a challenge that will require careful management and ongoing scrutiny.

The next steps will involve detailed planning and execution of the conservation and management plan, as well as continuous monitoring of the project’s impact on the sanctuary’s ecosystem. The outcome of these efforts will be crucial in determining the future of oil exploration in this environmentally sensitive region.