TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The Assam Wildlife Department has made a significant decision, citing national interest, to recommend forest clearance for a project by Cairn Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Vedanta.
EXPLANATION:
- This decision involves oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.
- This sanctuary is a critical habitat for the endangered Hoolock Gibbon and wild elephants.
- The recommendation has sparked a debate over the balance between economic development and environmental conservation.
The Project Proposal: Oil and Gas Exploration in Jorhat
- Cairn Oil and Gas has proposed the diversion of 4.49 hectares of forest land in Jorhat, Assam, for oil and gas exploration drilling.
- The proposal is currently under consideration by the Union Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), which is responsible for appraising such proposals.
- Last month, the FAC sought the opinion of the Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam to understand the implications of the project from a wildlife conservation perspective.
Wildlife Concerns: Habitat of Endangered Species
- The Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, where the proposed project is located, is a vital habitat for several endangered species, including the Hoolock Gibbon and wild elephants.
- Chief Wildlife Warden emphasized the importance of conserving this habitat, noting that the sanctuary’s eco-sensitive zone witnesses significant movement of wild elephants.
- The conservation of their habitat is crucial to maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring the survival of these species.
Minimizing Environmental Impact
- Despite the conservation concerns, the Chief Wildlife Warden recommended granting forest clearance for the project, citing its importance to national interests.
- However, he laid down specific conditions to mitigate the environmental impact:
- Minimal Tree Felling:
- The exploration work must be conducted with minimal tree felling to avoid adverse effects on wild animals and their habitat.
- The preservation of the forest cover is crucial to maintaining the ecological integrity of the sanctuary.
- Pollution Control Measures:
- The project must implement adequate measures to prevent all types of pollution that could arise during its implementation.
- This includes preparing for potential disasters such as oil and gas leaks or well explosions, which could have devastating effects on the environment and wildlife.
- Financial Contribution to Conservation:
- To support wildlife conservation efforts and mitigate human-wildlife conflict, the project will be required to contribute 2% of its total cost to the Chief Wildlife Warden.
- This fund will be utilized for developing and implementing wildlife conservation plans and managing human-wildlife interactions.
- Minimal Tree Felling:
National Interest vs. Environmental Conservation
- The recommendation to allow oil and gas exploration in the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary highlights the ongoing conflict between economic development and environmental conservation.
- While the project is deemed crucial for national interest, it raises serious concerns about the potential impact on the fragile ecosystem of the sanctuary.
- The decision underscores the need for scientific and strategic interventions to ensure that development projects do not compromise the ecological balance.
- The conditions imposed by the Chief Wildlife Warden aim to strike a balance between facilitating economic growth and preserving the natural habitat of endangered species.
- However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on stringent monitoring and enforcement.
Hoolock Gibbon:
- It is the only ape found in India.
- It is one of the 20 species found worldwide inhabiting tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia.
- They are found in forested areas of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Southern China.
- It is the smallest and fastest of all apes.
- They have become endangered due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
- The species is listed on Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.
- It is categorised into Western Hoolock Gibbon and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.
- Western Hoolock Gibbon is listed as Endangered and Eastern Hoolock gibbon as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary:
- The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary was formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserve Forest.
- It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in the Jorhat district of Assam.
- The upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the Hollong tree, while the Nahar dominates the middle canopy. The lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs.
- The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the western Hoolock, as well as the only nocturnal primate found in the northeast Indian states, the Bengal slow loris.
- It is home to Stump-tailed macaque, northern pig-tailed macaque, eastern Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, and capped langur etc.