The Assam state units of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the 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 in Jorhat district. The youth bodies have demanded that the Centre immediately withdraw its decision.
The organizations have announced plans to launch a joint agitation with public support if their demand is not met. Vedanta Group’s Crain Oil has received stage one approval for exploration in the eco-sensitive area of the sanctuary.
The SFI and DYFI have already organized signature campaigns and protests with local residents, advocating for the sanctuary’s protection and working to generate public opinion. They stated, “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 organizations expressed concern that activities in the habitat of the gibbons, many of which are endangered or critically endangered, would pose a significant threat to their survival. They added, “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 monkeys, leopards, elephants, and various other wildlife housed in the sanctuary.”
They also warned that the shrinking of eco-sensitive areas would likely lead to increased human-elephant conflicts. “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 concluded.
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