Assam gas well blowout puts biodiversity at risk
Uncontrolled flow since May 27 endangers gibbons, Gangetic dolphins in the region
NEWDELHI/GUWAHATI: The blowout of an Oil India Limited (OIL) gas well in Assam’s Tinsukia district last week is causing extensive damage to biodiversity and wildlife the region -- including the endangered hoolock gibbons and Gangetic dolphins -- according to several residents, activists and experts.
Baghjan, where the gas well blowout occurred on May 27 is close to the Dibru Saikhowa National Park, the Maguri-Motapung wetlands, and the forest villages of Barekuri which are habitat to the hoolock gibbon.
Uncontrollable gas flow is continuing from the gas well, according a press statement issued by Oil India Limited on Monday.
“What we are seeing is complete horror. Condensed oil is leaking continuously. The Maguri-Motapung wetlands (an important bird and biodiversity area) is very badly affected. There is a thick layer of crude oil on the water. Fish are dying and some cattle that graze in the adjacent wetlands are also dead,” said Mridupaban Phukon, a student and wildlife activist.
“We have been informed by people in Barekuri villages that condensed oil is coating leaves and has started affecting the hoolock gibbon habitat. If not contained immediately the wetlands and national park will be devastated,” he said over phone.
Around 650 families have been evacuated from the affected areas and are camped in three relief camps. “I visited the area on Sunday but it was barricaded. I could see the damage everywhere. Dead fish were floating and the vegetation is brown now. One Gangetic dolphin died soon after the leak. Usually the Maguri bheel is rich with birdlife but I could hardly spot any birds. I appeal for help,” said Nabamita Ray, doctor and wildlife enthusiast. AM Singh, principal chief conservator of forests, Assam and spokesperson of environment ministry said that a team of forest officials, pollution control board members and OIL officials will submit a report on Wednesday while another committee which also has independent members from IIT Guwahati are assessing damage in the park.
Oil India’s crisis management team has started pumping water through the casing valve. “Water is being pumped through the valve into the well head. Oil India has also contacted global experts to control the blowout,” the press statement said, adding that the water pumps are being installed in the nearby river and pipelinelaying work is in progress.
A blowout is the uncontrolled release of crude oil or natural gas from an oil or gas well after pressure control systems have failed. According to Oil India, the blowout happened on May 27 while operations were going to produce gas from a new sand (oil and gasbearing reservoir). The well was producing around 100,000 standard cubic metres of gas a day.
Assam Chief Wildlife Warden and additional principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) MK Yadava said an assessment is underway to measure the damage to the ecology and animal and bird species in the area because of the blowout. He added the carcass of a Gangetic dolphin has been sent for forensic examination.
Dibru-Saikhowa has recorded over 40 mammals, 500 species of birds, 104 fish species, 105 butterfly species and 680 types of plants.
Meanwhile, an OIL advertisement last month said the union environment ministry has accorded environmental clearance on May 11 for extension drilling and testing of hydrocarbons at 7 locations under Dibru Saikhowa National Park. HT verified documents on environment ministry’s Parivesh website which also states that the clearance was accorded.
“The continued oil leakage from the blow is a horrific environmental crime... Unfortunately, this is not the first time there has been such a leakage or environmental norms have been flouted –part of the pipeline in the eco-sensitive zone of the Dibru-Saikhowa National park had been laid before mandatory environment approvals were given,” said Prerna Singh Bindra, who visited the site as a National Board for Wildlife member.