Oil Drilling in Nagaland's Sanctuary: What's the Fuss?
- MediaFx
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
TL;DR: The central government has given Vedanta the green light to explore oil and gas near Assam's Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. This move has sparked debates in Nagaland, with concerns about environmental impacts and land ownership rights.
Hey folks! Guess what's brewing in the Northeast? The central government has given Vedanta the thumbs-up to hunt for oil and gas near Assam's Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. But this ain't sitting well with everyone, especially our friends in Nagaland. Let's dive into the deets!
The Green Signal
On December 21, the National Board for Wildlife, led by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, gave Vedanta's Cairn Oil & Gas the nod to start exploratory drilling on about 4.5 hectares of land, just 13 km from the sanctuary. This area is a hotspot for critters like the endangered hoolock gibbon, India's only ape. The project's been tagged as of "national importance" by Assam's forest department.
Land Tussle: Assam vs. Nagaland
Here's where it gets spicy. The proposed drilling site sits in a disputed zone between Assam and Nagaland. Both states have been bickering over this patch for over 60 years! When officials went for a site check on November 15, they were met by Naga villagers who weren't too pleased. The locals insisted that any development needs a thumbs-up from their village council. According to Naga customs, the land belongs to the community, not the state. This is backed by Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
Nagaland's Stand: Mixed Feelings
Nagaland's Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, seems to be on board with the drilling, seeing it as a ticket to boost development. He even talked about sharing the oil revenue with Assam. But many Naga leaders aren't buying it. They argue that the land is theirs, so any drilling should have their blessing. Moansuksung, head of the Tzurangkong Senso Senden, made it clear: "The land neither belongs to the Assam government nor the Nagaland government. It belongs to the people in Nagaland as per Article 371A of the Indian Constitution. So, they have to take permission from us before any kind of drilling."
Environmental Concerns: What's at Stake?
The Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is a gem, home to seven primate species, including the hoolock gibbon. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm, worried that drilling could mess up this delicate ecosystem. Even though Vedanta has promised that any oil extraction will happen outside the eco-sensitive zone, folks are skeptical. Past incidents, like the 2020 Baghjan blowout in Assam, show that oil exploration can lead to environmental disasters.
MediaFx Opinion: Power to the People!
At MediaFx, we believe that the voices of the working class and local communities should be front and center. The land rightfully belongs to the people who live there, and their consent is paramount. While development is essential, it shouldn't trample on the rights of communities or jeopardize our environment. True progress uplifts everyone and respects the balance of nature.
What do you think about this oil exploration plan? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Let's keep the convo going.
