Dual threat to Assam's Hollangapar gibbons

“In a tiny village Barekuri in Tinsukia district of Assam, people belonging to the Moran community reside. And in the same village dwell the hoolock gibbons…there they are called ‘holou bandar’. Hoolock gibbons have made this village their abode. You will be surprised to know the people of this village share a deep bond with the hoolock gibbons," Prime Minister Modi said in the 113^th edition of Mann Ki Baat recently.

The Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is the only ape found in India. Their distribution in Assam is believed to be restricted to the south of the Brahmaputra. The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The Hollongapar Wildlife Sanctuary is also a vital habitat for other endangered species like the Asian elephant.

As the Prime Minster was sharing the message of this unique bond between humans and apes with the nation, in Assam, a strong sense of resentment was brewing over the decision to divert 4.49 hectares of forest land for drilling operations in the eco sensitive zone (ESZ) of gibbon sanctuary in the Jorhat district.

Two proposals, recommended by the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), Assam during its 16^th meeting held on July 18, 2024 concerning the Hollangapar Gibbon Sanctuary has led to widespread resentment and protests across the state. Wildlife clearance was sought for oil and gas exploration at drill site/well-pad falling in Dessoi Valley Reserve Forest under Jorhat Forest Division and notified Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Hollangapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. After SBWL’s recommendation, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Assam has sent the proposal to the Centre that forest clearance be granted to Cairn Oil and Gas for diversion of 4.49 hectares of forest land for drilling operations.

Public pressure forced the standing committee for the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to defer its nod for oil exploration in the ESZ of Hollangapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary by the Vedanta Group until a site visit is conducted by representatives Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Wildlife Institute of India, Assam Forest Department and a member of the NBWL.

Conservationists, however, are still on the fence. “This is a temporary relief. The matter remains unresolved,” said an office bearer of a reputed conservation NGO who requested anonymity. “It is quite confusing why the State Board for Wildlife did not constitute an expert committee for site verification before recommending the proposal to the Centre that forest clearance be granted to Vedanta?--he quipped.”

Habitat loss due to drilling operations would further endanger the gibbon population. The tree dwelling gibbons need continuous canopy, but the proposed drilling will further fragment their habitat. The Forest Department’s recommendation is simply outrageous considering this important forest patch as one of the last refuges of the endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon in Assam that houses more than hundred of the species. Drilling operations would impede the movement of elephants and only aggravate the human-elephant conflict in the area.

Growth of tea gardens and habitation in the periphery and a railway track inside the 20.98 sq km sanctuary already fragmented this critical habitat of apes and elephants. The railway track continues to be an impediment for the elephants.

The other threat

The other proposal was for wildlife clearance for Railway Electrification Works from Lumding to Dibrugarh by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The entire proposed area falls within ESZ of Hollangapar Gibbon Sanctuary while 1.6 km of the entire proposed area falls inside the gibbon sanctuary. Further, a 7.5 km stretch (from railway milepost 370/0 to 377/5 of Mariani-Nakachari section) falls within the identified elephant corridors across the railway track vide govt. notification no FRW/2016/12, dated 28.12.2016.

The Hollongapar forest has been vital for the elephant herds moving between Assam and Nagaland. The forest provided safe refuge for the migrating herds of the Asian elephant. The railway track was not much of an impediment in their movement till their migrating routes were free of human interference. However, with the destruction of forest cover—to make way for human settlements, tea gardens and large-scale change in the land use patterns in the periphery of the sanctuary --the free movement of the mega faunas have been severely affected over the last couple of decades. Human-elephant conflict has led to loss on either side. Drilling operations as well as the NFR’s proposal for Railway Electrification Works inside the Sanctuary would further aggravate the situation.

Rapid change in the land use patterns with destruction of forest cover has already inflicted irreparable damage to the region’s forests and critical wildlife habitats with large scale endemism and famed biodiversity. Unique ecosystems bore the onslaught of extracting industries. It is unfortunate that our forest department, entrusted with the dual responsibility of protecting forests and wildlife, had recommended the decision of diversion of 4.49 hectares of forest land for drilling operations endangering 2,098.62 hectares of a protected area!

India is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity that calls for protection of at least 30% of land and sea areas to stop catastrophic loss of biodiversity by 2030. This commitment will require creation and regeneration of new protected areas, prioritizing areas of abundant biodiversity. However, there has been a trend to grant clearances to projects that destroy sensitive wildlife habitats, based on poor assessments. Giving precedence to extractive industries over natural forests simply cannot be termed as progressive!

The Prime Minister--when he hailed the people of Assam for their love for animals and spoke of the pure bond of Barekuri villagers and holus in Mann Ki Batt--was indeed a proud moment for the people of Assam. The PM also mentioned about the hardships faced by the gibbons in the Tinsukia district on account of electric wires and how the problem was quickly resolved with government intervention. There is a sense of optimism that Prime Minister--who is chairperson of the National Board for Wildlife--would surely intervene and take a decision in favour of the gibbons of Hollongapar.