Centre clears oil & gas exploration in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, sparks environmental concerns

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 12, 2025

In a move raising environmental concerns, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved oil and gas exploratory drilling in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. The decision, taken at the committee’s 81st meeting, permits the project on a 4.4998-hectare site, located 13 kilometres from the sanctuary—home to the endangered Hoolock gibbon and six other primate species.

“The drilling of the particular site is for discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the area. Any extraction of the hydrocarbon reserves discovered would be carried out from outside the ESZ of the sanctuary. Further, the user agency has also informed that no hazardous substance would be used during the expansion for hydrocarbons for this purpose,” the NBWL said in the minutes of the meeting.

“No adverse affect shall be caused to the wild animals and their habitat,” it also said.

The Hollongapar sanctuary, named for India’s only ape species, spans 20.98 square kilometres and forms a critical biodiversity corridor connecting Assam and Nagaland forests. The ESZ extends across 22.6 kilometres, emphasizing the sanctuary’s ecological importance.

Despite assurances from project proponents that only exploratory drilling is planned, with no hazardous materials used and extraction prohibited within the ESZ, environmentalists remain sceptical. The NBWL imposed stringent conditions, including real-time digital surveillance for operational monitoring, submission of operational plans to regulatory bodies before commencement, minimal tree felling and pollution control measures and a strict prohibition on any oil or gas extraction within the ESZ, even if reserves are found.

A joint site inspection by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and Assam’s Forest Department on November 15, 2024, concluded that exploratory drilling posed limited immediate environmental risk but strongly opposed any future commercial extraction.

“The sanctuary is a critical habitat for Hoolock gibbons, and while exploratory activity may cause minimal damage, commercial drilling must remain prohibited,” the inspection report stated.

Environmental activists have criticized the decision as contradictory and unnecessary. Senior journalist and activist Apurba Ballav Goswami questioned the justification for exploration when the committee itself opposed potential extraction.

“If reserves are found, extraction is banned within the sanctuary’s ESZ—then what is the purpose of exploration? The sanctuary is already under stress. Why add to the pressure?” he remarked.

Despite assurances from the user agency and regulatory conditions, concerns persist about long-term environmental impacts, habitat disruption, and the precedent set for future activities near protected areas. Environmental groups are calling for heightened vigilance and strict adherence to the NBWL’s safeguards to protect one of Assam’s most unique wildlife habitats.

“This project would also affect- Disai, Disai Valley and Tiru Hills Reserve Forest along the Assam-Nagaland border,” Goswami claimed.