Row over drilling in U Dehing RF

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The Sentinel, Guwahati, 08 July, 2005 (www.sentinelassam.com)

 

Row over drilling in U Dehing RF

Environment vs exploration

 

* Continued from yesterday

 

This correspondent faxed a set of questions to Managesh Dakhore,

Environmental Advisor, Premier Oil, to find out his reaction to the

allegations levelled by the Green activists.

 

* On the alleged destruction of rainforests by Premier Oil

operations, Dhakore refuted the charges and said the forest was not

being destroyed. The Upper Dihing Reserve Forest comprises a total

area of about 64,000 hectares. The site area used for drilling of

one exploration well by Premier Oil is only 1.2 hectare, which is a

tiny portion of the total forest area. An additional area of 3.1

hectares is being used but, that was an existing forest road which

has been upgraded without removal of any trees. Approval of the

diversion of this land for exploration was granted by the Assam

Forest Department and the Federal Ministry of Forests and

Environment, in compliance with all the regulatory requirements. As

required, Premium Oil has paid for compensatory afforestation to be

carried out by the Forest Department.

 

* On the alleged environmental hazards and pollution caused by

Premier Oil in the reserve forest area — The drilling of an

exploration well is a temporary activity and is for a period of just

3-4 months. Dakhore corroborated Rob Marshall's claims of following

EIA rules and taking steps to protect the environment. He further

added that fencing has been placed around engines to avoid noise

disturbance of surrounding areas. He also backed up Marshall's

statement on the EMP. Regular environmental monitoring of the

project is being undertaken by various external agencies including

Gauhati University. The site has been inspected by senior officers

of the Assam Pollution Control Board, the Assam Department of

Environment and Forests and also the Central Ministry of Environment

and Forests. Representatives from reputed non-governmental

organizations (NGOs) such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Centre

for Environment Education (CEE) and Leadership for Environment and

Development (Lead) have also visited the site to monitor the

environmental scenario.

 

* On the charges of deforestation and environmental hazards levelled

by Nature's Beckon, an NGO of Dibrugarh, the Environmental Advisor

denied that Premier Oil was causing any harm to the

environment. " Only 43 trees with commercial value were removed and

compensatory afforestation of a much larger area is being done by

the Assam State Forest Department. There is no pollution of the

forest environment caused by the drilling activity. "

 

Dakhore also gave an account of the various social welfare

programmes being carried out by Premier Oil. " The company always

tries to involve and support the local communities. In Upper Assam,

various social welfare programmes are being carried out to provide

sanitation, health and educational benefits. The company is also

supporting the Joint Forest Management programme which assists

villagers to earn an income through afforestation and eco-tourism

projects. "

 

Terming Premier Oil as an international oil and gas exploration

company committed to acting responsibly in every aspect of its

business, Dakhore said that the oil firm always works to the highest

international standards. On Premier Oil's exploration plans in

Assam, the Premier Oil official informed that the current

exploration/drilling work will be completed within the next two

months. He further stated that no further drilling operation is

being planned for the moment and the company's future activities in

Upper Assam will depend on the geological data obtained from the

current drilling project.

 

Part-III

 

Exploration affects environment

 

The socio-economic development must be sustainable and self-reliant

with the involvement of communities in the development processes

both at the grassroots and policy level. In recent times, the

importance of preserving the natural resources vis-a-vis rainforests

has been universally acknowledged. Rainforests, which once covered

about 20% of the Earth's land surface, cover less than 7% today.

Rainforests grow in constantly wet conditions where the annual

rainfall is more than 80 inches. Abundant in trees, shrubs, vines,

ferns and other plants, the rainforests are rich in biodiversity.

The Indo-Myanmar region is globally acknowledged to be a ecological

hotspot.

 

The Premier Oil's denial of damaging the Upper Dehing Reserve Forest

does not hold water. Dakhore's contention that only 43 trees

with " commercial value " have been felled does not sound convincing.

Reliable sources pointed out that the trees felled to carry out the

operations far exceed the figure quoted by Dakhore. Moreover,

the " commercial value " of trees does not decide their importance in

the eco-system. When it comes to food, animals and birds and hardly

going to differentiate between trees of " commercial value " and `non-

commercial value'! The Premier Oil's stand on upgradation of the

existing forest road without the removal of any trees sounds absurd.

How can a road be upgraded without felling trees? Even the best of

state-of-the-art technology cannot ensure zero pollution.

 

Atonement by Premier Oil

 

Termed eco-terrorists, by environmental activities, Premier Oil,

however has initiated measures to prove their commitment towards

protecting the environment. The Joint Management Programme is one

such endeavour.

 

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

 

* Assam's JFM programme has recently expanded to accommodate funding

from private and other entities to finance eco-tourism development,

afforestation and conservation activities, among other things. A new

committee is being formed by the State Forest Department to

administer the distribution of the funding for the new activities.

 

* Premier Oil is contributing funding to the JFM programme and most

has been earmarked for the development of these villages. Two

villages in Dehing Patkai are currently being developed as model eco-

tourism destinations. Premier Oil funding will allow the villages to

build additional traditional houses to accommodate the tourists; it

will also finance the design and construction of bathroom facilities

for tourists at the villages; furthermore, it will enable solar

power to be installed in the villages. They will be guided by the

forest department in all their activities.

 

Conclusion:

 

Even a layman will agree at the ecological security cannot be

sacrificed at the altar of economic security. But, at the same time,

he will also acknowledge that economic development is imperative.

However, every step towards industrial development must be properly

balanced with conveniences measures aimed at protecting the

environment. (Concluded).