Oil India Limited opposed Laying of gas pipeline beneath Maguri-Motapung Beel

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: The Tinsukia Regional Students’ Union (TRSU), Makum Anchalik Students’ Union along with environmental NGOs have threatened to launch vigorous agitation against Oil India Limited’s proposed laying of gas pipeline from Bagjan to Duliajan beneath the famous Maguri-Motapung Beel which is designated as IBA (Important Birds Area) and lies 10 km south of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and part of Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.

In a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia, the TRSU and Bahankshyam Unnayan Sakti (BUS) stated that the proposed construction by OIL was illegal and no public hearing was conducted before taking up the construction of the second pipeline having huge 30" diameter pipe even as 16" pipe that was laid in 2012 created havoc in the wetland after oil spilled from leakage of pipeline. They alleged that though the area was within 10 km radius of ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ), the OIL allegedly carried out the activities even before obtaining environmental clearance for the project. The 10 sq km beel is not only the nesting ground for 110-odd birds, of which some are regarded as threatened by IUCN, it also sustains the livelihood of more than 1,000 villagers living within the periphery of the Maguri-Motapung Beel. The organizations also expressed serious concern over the survival of the Hoolock Gibbon living for ages in nearby villages.

Claiming that the works have already been initiated by the OIL, the activists asked the OIL to withdraw the project and to furnish clearance letter from the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) besides report of public hearing.

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