Assam youth bodies asks Centre to desist from oil exploration at Gibbon Sanctuary

Guwahati: The Assam state units of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) have strongly opposed the Central government’s approval for oil and gas exploration at the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary located in Assam’s Jorhat district.

The youth bodies demanded the Centre to withdraw its decision immediately.

The organisations said it will launch a joint agitation with the support of the people if their demand is not met.

Vedanta Group’s Crain Oil has received stage one approval for oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive area of the sanctuary.

The SFI and DYFI have already organised signature campaigns and launched protests along with the local populace demanding the protection of the sanctuary and are now persuading to create public opinion.

“It is very unfortunate that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has allowed oil and gas exploration within the eco-sensitive area of the sanctuary. It is certain that all the rules and regulations have been flouted only for the benefit of the corporate,” the youth bodies said.

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With most species of the gibbon family being either endangered or critically endangered, the organisations opined that any activity in their habitat will pose a major threat to the existence of the apes.   

“The decision for oil and gas exploration at the sanctuary will not only pose a serious threat to the gibbons but also threaten the existence of other animal species, including the monkeys, leopards, elephants and various other wildlife the sanctuary houses,” they added.

The organisations further said that with the shrinking of the eco-sensitive areas, instances of human-elephant conflicts will significantly increase.   

“If the forest cover shrinks, human-elephant conflict in the fringe areas will take a serious turn. This is very worrying. We demand that the government not push the sanctuary towards such a dangerous situation and at the same time appeal to the masses to come out and join hands in protest against the insensible decision of the government,” they further said.