Oil Exploration in Gibbon Sanctuary

The Assam wildlife department has recommended forest clearance for Cairn Oil and Gas's exploration project in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, citing national interest despite the area's ecological significance.

The Assam wildlife department has recommended to the Centre that forest clearance be granted to Cairn Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Vedanta, for an oil and gas exploration project in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.
The project involves the diversion of 4.49 hectares of forest land in Jorhat, Assam, and is currently under review by the Union Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), which evaluates such proposals for forest diversion.
The project must also implement adequate pollution control measures to prevent environmental disasters such as oil and gas leaks or well explosions, as per the Chief Wildlife Warden’s recommendations.
Additionally, 2% of the total project cost is to be allocated for wildlife conservation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation, to be deposited with the Chief Wildlife Warden as part of the project's approval conditions.