Guwahati: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has expressed “deep concern” over the proposed oil and gas exploration project by Vedanta in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary located in Assam’s Jorhat district.
In a letter addressed to Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, the MP from Assam’s Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, highlighted the “critical habitat” for the endangered Hoolock Gibbon within the sanctuary.
Gogoi also questioned the Assam wildlife department’s recommendation to grant forest clearance, even with conditions.
The deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Gogoi, urged Yadav to reconsider the Assam wildlife department’s recommendation, and reject any plans that would “endanger” the sanctuary or its inhabitants.
Notably, the Assam Forest and Environment department has given nod to the proposal of Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Limited, for oil and gas exploration in the ESZ of the sanctuary.
The state forest and environment department, however, has set “strict” conditions to minimise environmental impact.
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The Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, earlier known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserve Forest, is a protected area of evergreen forest.
The sanctuary was renamed on May 25, 2004. It is home to India’s only ape and gibbon species – the hoolock gibbons. The sanctuary is also Northeast’s only nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.