The Centre’s wildlife panel has approved a proposal to carry out oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Jorhat district. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, approved the proposal by Vedanta Group’s Cairn Oil & Gas during its meeting on December 21, according to the minutes of the meeting. Assam’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden had recommended clearance for the project in August last year, citing “national interest”. The Forest Advisory Committee of the Union Environment Ministry had also granted in-principle approval during its meeting on August 27 last year. According to the minutes of the NBWL meeting, a team comprising officials from the Union Environment Ministry, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and the Assam Forest Department inspected the project site, located about 13 km from the sanctuary, on November 15. The inspection committee found that exploratory drilling would cause minimal damage, but said commercial drilling would not be allowed.