Citizens Oppose Drilling Near Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Move NGT

The Brihattar Jorhat Nagarik Samaj has opposed the National Board for Wildlife’s (NBWL) approval for oil exploration near Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. The group moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT), arguing that drilling could harm the sanctuary’s biodiversity, including India’s only ape, the hoolock gibbon, and pave the way for commercial drilling.

Despite claims of limited immediate environmental impact by a site inspection team, the citizens’ body fears long-term damage. The Vedanta Group’s project, spanning 4.5 hectares, is located 13 km from the sanctuary, a critical biodiversity hotspot with rich primate diversity and vital forest corridors connecting Assam and Nagaland.