02-August-2024-Editorial

IMPACT OF OIL AND GAS DRILLING ON HOOLOCK GIBBONS IN ASSAM

The Union Environment Ministry’s recent approval for exploratory oil and gas drilling in Assam’s eco-sensitive zones, particularly the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, has sparked concerns over the potential threat to the endangered hoolock gibbons and other wildlife.

Cairn India, a subsidiary of Vedanta Ltd, has been granted permission to use a portion of the reserved forest land for exploration.

This move has raised alarms about the risks to the area’s rich biodiversity, particularly the vulnerable hoolock gibbon population.

Potential Impact on Hoolock Gibbons

Endangered Status:

• Hoolock gibbons, the only apes found in India, are highly sensitive to environmental changes. These arboreal animals rely heavily on the forest canopy for movement and survival.
• Habitat fragmentation and disturbances caused by drilling can severely disrupt their natural habitat, leading to a decline in their population.

Biodiversity at Stake:

• The area marked for exploration is home to a variety of species, including elephants, leopards, and hoolock gibbons, emphasizing the ecological significance of the region.
• Disruption in these habitats could increase human-wildlife conflicts and threaten the survival of these species.

Human-Wildlife Conflicts:

• Oil and gas drilling activities can exacerbate existing conflicts between humans and wildlife by forcing animals out of their natural habitats.
• This could lead to increased encounters between wildlife and local communities, posing a risk to both animals and people.

Past Incidents:

• The Baghjan blowout in 2020, which caused significant ecological damage in Assam, serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of oil and gas exploration in sensitive areas.
• Such incidents highlight the risks involved in allowing industrial activities within or near protected wildlife areas.

Current Status of the Drilling Project

Approval Process:

• The Union Environment Ministry has granted preliminary approval for oil and gas exploration within eco-sensitive zones in Assam, including the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has deferred its final decision and has suggested that a wildlife management and mitigation plan be developed to minimize disturbances to hoolock gibbons and other species.

Legal Framework:

• The Supreme Court, in a 2023 directive, prohibited mining within national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as within one kilometer of their boundaries, making this project particularly controversial.
• A proposal for extended reach drilling in this area was rejected by the FAC, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines.

Conservation and Legal Protections

Hoolock Gibbon Conservation:

• Hoolock gibbons are listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, granting them the highest level of protection.
• The Hoollongapar Reserve Forest was upgraded to the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in 1997, marking it as the first protected area dedicated to a primate species in India.

Sanctuary’s Ecological Significance:

• The Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, was renamed in 2004 to reflect its unique ecological role.
• The sanctuary’s flora and fauna are diverse, with a rich canopy that provides a crucial habitat for the gibbons and other species, including the Bengal slow loris and various macaque species.

Conclusion

The approval for exploratory oil and gas drilling in Assam’s eco-sensitive zones poses significant risks to the region’s biodiversity, particularly the endangered hoolock gibbons. The potential for habitat disruption and increased human-wildlife conflicts necessitates careful consideration and robust mitigation strategies to protect these vulnerable species and their habitats.