Noted actor Adil Hussain has raised serious concerns over the Assam government’s decision to permit the Vedanta Group to carry out oil exploration near the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.

The ‘Jasoos Vijay’ star has not only called the Assam government’s move “outrageous,” but he has also urged the government to stop the move immediately.

On August 29, 2024, the Assam government announced its approval of an oil exploration project near the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, to be undertaken by the Vedanta group.

The proposal has been forwarded to the Central Government for further consideration.

In response to a query from the Leader of the Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, during an Assembly session, Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary confirmed that the State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) has given the green light to explore the possibility of oil extraction approximately 13 kilometres from the sanctuary.

The decision, however, has drawn flak from various quarters.

Taking to his X handle, actor Adil Hussain said, “In spite of the disastrous consequences due to climate change and disruptive weather patterns across the country and the world, we are still going ahead full steam toward catastrophe. Our Forest Department of Assam has granted permission for oil exploration in the most vulnerable areas of the gibbon population. This is outrageous. Stop it. Just stop it. Be a bit more compassionate toward your children who will inhabit the world after you’re gone.”

In Spite of the disastrous consequences due to climate change disruptive weather Patterns across the country and World we are still going ahead full steam toward catastrophe. Our Forest Depart of Assam has granted permission for Oil Exploration in the most vulnerable areas of…

— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) September 5, 2024

It may be mentioned here that Cairn Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Vedanta, has requested the diversion of 4.49 hectares of forest land for drilling operations in the Dishoi Valley Reserve Forest, located near Marinai in Assam’s Jorhat district. The proposal is currently under review by the Union Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC).

In August, Sandeep Kumar, Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), recommended to the Centre that forest clearance be granted for Cairn Oil and Gas’s exploration activities in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the sanctuary.

ALSO READ | Dehing Patkai Is Wailing! India, Are You Listening?