Centre grants in-principle approval to oil and gas exploration in Assam’s hoolock gibbon sanctuary

New Delhi, Sept 14: The Union environment ministry has granted in-principle approval to divert around 4.50 hectares of forest land in Assam, home to the endangered hoolock gibbon, for oil and gas exploration by a Vedanta Group company.

Cairn Oil & Gas will carry out exploratory oil drilling in the ecosensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat district, the sole habitat for India’s only ape species.

The ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee approved the diversion of 4.49 hectares of forest land during a meeting on August 27, according to minutes published on the Parivesh portal.

On August 8, Assam’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden recommended the clearance, saying that the project served “national interest”.

The project site is located within the ecosensitive zone of the sanctuary, an area also used by wild elephants to move between the sanctuary and the Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest, the official noted.

“Conservation and management of wild animals in the ESZ (ecosensitive zone) is crucial for protection of elephants and other animal species. Therefore, appropriate scientific interventions shall have to be undertaken while implementing the above mentioned project in Dessoi Valley RF (Reserve Forest),” the principal chief conservator of forests said.

The official assured that minimal tree felling would be done and no harm would come to the wildlife and their habitats.

A wildlife conservation and human-animal conflict management plan with a budget of Rs 5.57 crore has also been submitted.

Recommending the proposal for Stage-1 clearance, the ministry panel also directed the state government to adhere to the safety guidelines outlined in a parliamentary report on the Baghjan blowout incident of May 2020. (PTI)

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Kabul blames Pakistan for airstrikes that killed 3 people in eastern Afghanistan

Islamabad, Aug 29: Airstrikes that Afghanistan's Taliban government blamed...

Tamil actors Vishal, Sai Dhanshika get engaged

Chennai, Aug 29: Popular Tamil actor Vishal on Thursday...

India has turned into ‘oil money laundromat for Kremlin’: Trump aide

New York/Washington, Aug 29: A day after claiming that...

Conrad reviews progress on medical colleges, sports and JJM in Tura review

State to produce 550 doctors annually by 2030s Tura, Aug...

Lyles beats Olympic champion Tebogo in 200 race at Diamond League final

Zurich, Aug 29: Noah Lyles warmed up for the...

Four teenagers drown in Dumka’s Mayurakshi river, one body recovered: Police

Dumka, Aug 29: Four teenagers drowned in Mayurakshi river...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories