The Centre’s wildlife panel has approved oil and gas exploratory drilling within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Assam’s Jorhat district. The approval was granted during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, on December 21. The project, proposed by Vedanta Group’s Cairn Oil & Gas, had earlier received a recommendation from Assam’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden in August 2024. The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry also granted in-principle approval during its meeting on August 27. According to the NBWL meeting minutes, an inspection team comprising officials from the Union Environment Ministry, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the Assam Forest Department visited the project site on November 15. The site is approximately 13 km from the sanctuary. The committee concluded that exploratory drilling would have minimal ecological impact, though commercial drilling within the ESZ would remain prohibited.
Vedanta Group has provided written assurances that the project will focus solely on identifying hydrocarbon reserves, with no extraction to occur within the ESZ. Any reserves discovered will be exploited from outside the sensitive area. The company also pledged not to use hazardous substances during the exploratory phase. The project site lies in a disputed area near the Assam-Nagaland border, further complicating operations. The inspection team reported that local communities and Nagaland authorities have expressed concerns, emphasizing that no drilling activities would be permitted without formal approvals from the Village Council and the Nagaland government. The inspection team was escorted by Nagaland’s Border Magistrate and local residents, reflecting the sensitivity of the region. Local communities stressed the need for collaborative decision-making before commencing operations.
The Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning 20.98 sq km, is home to seven primate species, including the endangered Hoolock gibbon. Its 264.92 sq km ESZ provides critical connectivity to the Dissoi Valley Reserve Forest and adjoining forested areas in Nagaland. This connectivity is essential for the movement and survival of wildlife species. Officials have noted that the sanctuary already faces significant stress due to human activities, including the presence of a railway line. Plans for electrifying the railway line, which passes through the sanctuary, have also been recommended by the Standing Committee, raising additional ecological concerns. Exploratory drilling is a precursor to hydrocarbon extraction, raising questions about potential commercial activities in the future. While the NBWL’s approval comes with strict conditions, environmentalists warn that such projects could lead to increased pressure on Assam’s fragile ecosystems.