Senior Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has called on Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to prioritize the protection of Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary amid concerns over a proposed oil and gas exploration project in the area.
In a letter addressed to Yadav, Gogoi emphasized the sanctuary’s unique and irreplaceable ecosystem, warning that the project could lead to severe deforestation and pollution. The sanctuary, located in Gogoi’s parliamentary constituency of Jorhat, is a critical habitat for the endangered Hoolock Gibbon.
Gogoi expressed his deep concerns about the potential impact of the project, urging Yadav to reconsider the Assam wildlife department’s recommendation for forest clearance. He stressed that any plan that endangers the sanctuary or its inhabitants should be rejected.
“The economic benefits of the project cannot justify compromising our natural heritage and endangered wildlife,” said Gogoi, who also serves as the Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha. He appealed to the Minister to explore alternative solutions that protect the environment and preserve the sanctuary’s biodiversity.
