Assam gas well blowout puts biodiversity at risk

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.