Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly condemned the Assam government for granting approval to a mining project near the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat. The project, which involves renowned company Vedanta’s subsidiary, Cairn Oil and Gas, has sparked controversy due to its potential environmental impact on the sanctuary, home to endangered hoolock gibbons and other species.
Gogoi Accuses Assam Government of Prioritizing Mining
According to a media report, Gogoi criticized the Assam government for what he called “double standards” in its approach to wildlife conservation. “The government talks about protecting wildlife, yet it approves activities that are clearly detrimental to the environment,” Gogoi said. He accused the Assam government of prioritizing the interests of large private mining companies over the rights of indigenous tribes and environmental concerns.
“The Assam government’s approach is to displace the indigenous tribes of Assam and deny them the right to life in their traditional forest areas. But when it comes to big mining companies, the government turns a blind eye to the destruction of wildlife and forests,” Gogoi stated. He argued that the government’s actions suggest that large mining corporations are the primary stakeholders for the BJP, while the welfare of indigenous communities and environmental preservation are secondary issues.
Gogoi also highlighted the challenges faced by conservationists working in the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, noting that it is surrounded by tea gardens, which complicates conservation efforts. The presence of the mining project, he warned, could exacerbate these difficulties and bring further harm to the sanctuary’s ecosystem.
The Congress MP further alleged that the BJP government has entered into a “secret deal” with mining companies, driven by the upcoming elections. He expressed concern that such activities could lead to increased threats to the already endangered hoolock gibbons and other wildlife in the sanctuary.
In addition to his environmental concerns, Gogoi also criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attempting to divide society through his recent remarks. Gogoi’s comments came shortly after Sarma stated that he would not allow ‘Miya’ Muslims to “take over” the state, a declaration made during an assembly session discussing the law and order situation in the wake of a rape case in Nagaon.
Gogoi accused Sarma of using divisive rhetoric to deflect attention from his failures as Chief Minister. “Whenever Himanta Biswa Sarma is on the back foot, he tries to divide society. But the people of Assam are smarter than him. They will not fall for his divisive rhetoric. They know he has failed as a Chief Minister. Assamese people will remain united and vote out his arrogant government in 2026,” Gogoi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The controversy over the mining project near the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary has intensified the political debate in Assam, with environmentalists and opposition leaders rallying against what they see as a threat to the state’s natural heritage.
