Assam: Vedanta’s oil and gas exploration in Hoolock Gibbon habitat gets in-principle nod

The chief wildlife warden had noted in his recommendation that the project site falls in the ESZ of Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Jorhat, and there was significant movement of wild elephants in the area connecting the sanctuary and Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest. The chief wildlife warden also submitted to the FAC a wildlife conservation plan and human-animal conflict management plan and earmarked Rs 5.57 crore for implementing them.

The conservation plan has proposed measures such as the planting of native species, the erection of wildlife protection signages, awareness programmes, and consultation with local stakeholders for Hoolock Gibbon conservation. The endangered ape species faces threats such as qualitative loss of habitats, fragmentation of habitats, poaching and unscientific plantation, the plan had noted.

The Gibbon sanctuary is spread over 21 sq km in Jorhat and supports around 125 Hoolock Gibbon living in more than two dozen family groups, according to a 2023 Wildlife Institute of India study. According to the study over time, the sanctuary has become a ‘forest island’ having lost connectivity with surrounding forest patches.

The regional committee’s recommendation stated that during the exploration, safety measures as laid down in a report of parliamentary committee on petroleum and natural gas should be followed. The FAC endorsed the regional committee’s prescriptions and said the “state government shall ensure the compliance of conditions” in the parliamentary panel report.

The report was prepared by the standing committee on petroleum and natural gas in the backdrop of May 2020 Baghjan oil and gas leak which caused widespread environmental damage and displacement of people in Tinsukia district.

The standing committee in its report had made many recommendations ranging from periodic safety reviews and promotion of safety culture to self-reliance in tackling emergencies in oil and gas installations, among others.

Compensatory afforestation in lieu of felling 1,350 trees has been proposed on non-forest land in Tinsukia district, FAC’s minutes noted. After compliance of conditions laid down in the approval, the project is considered for final approval.