Assam Youth Bodies Urgently Rally Against Oil Exploration at Precious Gibbon Sanctuary: A Plea to Protect Nature’s Treasure

Assam Youth Organizations Oppose Central Approval for Oil and Gas Exploration in Wildlife Sanctuary

Guwahati: The Assam units of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) have vehemently opposed the Central government’s recent approval for oil and gas exploration at the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat district. The youth groups are urging the government to withdraw its decision immediately, citing environmental concerns.

Vedanta Group’s Crain Oil has received stage one approval for exploration in this eco-sensitive area, sparking widespread protests and signature campaigns organized by SFI and DYFI. The organizations are now working to generate public opposition and advocacy for the sanctuary’s protection.

Environmental Concerns

The youth bodies argue that the decision by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to allow exploration flouts all existing regulations, benefiting corporate interests at the expense of ecological balance. They assert that drilling activities will pose severe threats to the sanctuary’s diverse wildlife, which includes endangered and critically endangered species of gibbons, as well as other animals such as monkeys, leopards, and elephants.

Potential Human-Wildlife Conflict

Further, the organizations warn that shrinking forest cover due to such activities will exacerbate human-elephant conflicts in the surrounding areas, potentially leading to dangerously increased encounters. They call on the public to join them in standing against this "insensible decision" to prevent the sanctuary from reaching a critical environmental tipping point.

The SFI and DYFI emphasize the urgent need for collective action to safeguard one of Assam’s vital ecological havens, stressing that oil and gas explorations in this area would not only compromise the sanctuary’s biodiversity but also endanger the wellbeing of local communities through increased wildlife conflicts.

The call for action stresses the urgency of preserving the natural habitat of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary and underscores the critical need for sustainable environmental stewardship.

Original Story https://nenow.in/environment/assam-youth-bodies-asks-centre-to-desist-from-oil-exploration-at-gibbon-sanctuary.html
Category : Assam,Environment,Northeast News,Top News
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