A shift in direction by Oil India Limited (OIL) has taken place following their inability to extract oil and gas from Assam's Dibru Saikhowa National Park thus they now conduct research and development (R&D) studies. A Supreme Court ruling from 2006 caused OIL to modify its strategy after granting bans on mining within forest areas and sanctuaries and national parks.
OIL faced a major obstacle after the park authorities stopped them from exploring and extracting oil and gas resources. The company responded efficiently to the oil extraction denial by recommending a research and development study to evaluate Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) technology's environmental impact. ERD permits drilling operations from depths of 3,500 to 4,000 meters by preserving the surface integrity thus offering a possibly less harmful procedure.
An R&D approval received recommendation from the Forest Advisory Committee of the Environment Ministry on January 27, 2025 limited to exploring its use solely for research purposes. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) noted that the study of the drilling effects on above-ground biodiversity required actual drilling operations to be performed first.
Testing the aboveground effects of ERD technology constitutes the goal of this research project while addressing the clearance rejection from the FAC. The research period of five years will examine several biogeographic areas and habitats to develop localized solutions for minimizing environmental damage.
Professional concerns about environmental safety continue to grow because the location near Brahmaputra River raises risks that oil spills might disturb local ecological systems. Legal precedents along with Ministry guidelines forced the FAC to deny approval because these documents tightened regulations for mining ventures in sensitive locations.
The R&D study serves as a pathway to find equilibrium between energy exploration operations and environmental preservation. Through their investigation OIL will prove that ERD technology can effectively reduce surface disturbances and it might be suitable for other sensitive environmental areas.
In 2006 the Supreme Court made a ruling which banned mining activities in national parks alongside sanctuaries and forested areas.
The Supreme Court of India established a major decision regarding mining operations in the country when they made this ruling during 2006. As part of the T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs. Union of India case the Supreme Court issued a ruling that made mining activities forbidden within the boundaries of national parks wildlife sanctuaries and forested areas for protective purposes.
The court decided on this course because conservation of biodiversity and ecological stability were essential. The practice of mining creates substantial dangers for wildlife and their environments through its related processes of clearing forests and destroying habitats while producing contaminants. The court established this order to protect protected areas from any disturbance and maintain their environmental purity.
The Supreme Court demanded nation to establish Eco-Sensitive Zones surrounding their national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Through their buffer function these zones safeguard the primary habitats against the impacts from human activities in surrounding areas. Established as buffer zones the ESZs serve to control activities like mining along with industrial operations and extensive construction activities to safeguard protected areas from any negative interaction.
Sustainable development received priority attention from the court together with the requirement for economic development to match environmental preservation. The court established mining restrictions for ecologically sensitive areas which aims to create responsible mineral extraction practices that protect the environment.
Strict national regulations and improved enforcement systems emerged as direct results from the Supreme Court decision to protect India's natural legacy. The choice has made people realize how essential it is to protect biodiversity and ecological stability leading the national government and private sectors to choose sustainable operational methods.
Impacts of mining activities
The implementation of mining operations within national parks as well as sanctuaries together with forest areas generates persistent harmful effects that cannot be reversed on both environmental ecosystems and wildlife populations and indigenous populations. Many detrimental effects from mining activities cluster into various distinct areas.
Habitat Destruction
Mining operations cause the speedy destruction of natural habitats which becomes immediately visible to all observers. Mining operations require such natural ecosystems as forests and grasslands together with wetlands to disappear. Species extinction happens because habitat destruction eliminates biodiversity together with the removal of natural habitats and disrupted food chains. The modified landscape proves fatal for various endemic and endangered species which leads to their decreasing numbers or disappearing entirely from the earth.
Water Pollution
During the mining operations waste products including toxic chemicals and heavy metals cause water pollution in nearby water bodies. Water contamination through mining operations unleashes destructive effects on aquatic habitats which result in fish deaths alongside all aquatic life demise. Water pollution endangers both wildlife living on land and human populations who depend on these water supplies for drinking needs together with irrigation goals and additional regular uses.
Soil Degradation
Soil erosion together with degradation becomes a common consequence of mining operations. Soil disturbance followed by vegetation clearance along with the removal of topsoil causes the soil to become vulnerable to water and wind-induced erosion. The deterioration of productive land prevents plant survival and hampers the area's usefulness for future ecological development following mining conclusion.
Air Pollution
The production process at mining sites produces substantial dust quantities alongside airborne particulates that result in air quality deterioration. Toxic gases and chemicals discharged into the air present wellness dangers for wildlife species together with human beings. Extended residence near atmospheres polluted by air results in respiratory distress together with cardiovascular illness and multiple medical complications.
Noise and Light Pollution
The active emissions from mining sites interrupt how wild animals normally behave. Wildlife species need particular sounds together with light signals for essential activities including hunting and mating along with their season migrations. Wildlife experience stress alongside disorientation and behavioural changes because mines generate continual noise together with artificial lighting systems that both threaten their survival.
Social and Economic Impacts
The practice of mining creates both social consequences and economic outcomes that disturb local communities. Short-term mining employment and economic value do not outweigh the sustained environmental damage that threatens many inhabitants' primary ways of generating income. These include farming along with harvesting fish and timber. Protected areas experience two significant problems due to mining activities which include community displacements and persistent resource conflicts.
Ecosystem Imbalance
Habitat destruction along with pollution and behaviour disruptions in wildlife result in ecosystem breakdown. The disappearance of important species together with the entry of invasive species causes natural ecosystem dynamics to change which results in the breakdown of food networks and reduces valuable ecosystem services such as pollination capabilities as well as pest management and carbon storage functions.
Oil India Limited (OIL)
In India Oil India Limited (OIL) stands as a major state-owned enterprise which participates crucially in the national energy sector. From its establishment in 1889 until present day OIL has grown into a pioneer organization in the Indian oil and gas sector through more than 130 years of operation. The headquarters exists in Noida while the government of India controls OIL through its Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The complete oil and gas value chain runs through OIL as the company conducts activities that span exploration and production as well as refining and marketing. The core business of the company includes crude oil and natural gas exploration alongside production activities with main operating sites in northeastern states. The OIL presence extends beyond Assam to include states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and the offshore areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Through its energetic exploration program OIL discovered multiple new hydrocarbon reserves. The company has received prestigious recognition from the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) which honoured OIL as the "Exploration Company of the Year" during 2022. Through its dedication to sustainability OIL advances two key programs including the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and its emphasis on environment and safety together with health protection.
OIL operates a solid pipeline system through their 1,157 km trunk line that transports crude oil from Naharkatiya to Barauni to fulfil the northeastern region's energy needs. Through its pipeline infrastructure refineries receive crude oil from its origin points while maintaining operational efficiency for supply transports. Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) as a material subsidiary of OIL established a milestone by commissioning the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
The recent years have brought difficulties to OIL due to price instability in the oil market. Despite on-going difficulties the company shows strength alongside its ability to change and adapt. The third quarter of fiscal year 2024-25 brought OIL a net profit of ₹1,221.80 crore despite its profit decreasing by 23% from previous-year results. The company expects a bright future through its on-going exploration efforts and strategic business improvements that target production boosts and profitability growth.
The company implements corporate social responsibility (CSR) through its diverse selection of community-based programs. OIL dedicates its resources to enhancing health results along with supporting school programs and developing sustainable income streams through initiatives in its operational areas. Through its active participation OIL implements the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign which results in the development of school and community toilets.
Dibru Saikhowa National Park
One of the few remaining untouched wild territories in India is Dibru Saikhowa National Park exists in the Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of Assam. The 340 square kilometre park contains a captivating combination of wetlands and grasslands and forested areas that settle on the floodplains of Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers.
Dibru Saikhowa began its existence as a wildlife sanctuary during 1986 before receiving national park status in 1999 when it gained its reputation for its diverse types of ecosystems. This reserve belongs to the Dibru Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve which exists to safeguard the local fauna and exclusive plant life of the region. The confluence of river habitats together with monsoon conditions generates an active ecological system that sustains many species.
The main attraction of Dibru Saikhowa National Park lies within its prominent grasslands that traverse between flooding areas and tiny water reservoirs. The unique grassland habitat supports the breeding activities of the elusive Bengal Florican bird along with various endangered species. Birdwatchers enjoy the park because its wetlands provide essential habitat for birds that migrate. Different waterfowl along with great hornbills and white-winged wood ducks are found within this area.
The wildlife area maintains a strong population of big animal species. Unique to India is this location that supports feral horse populations which evolved from domestic horses into wild existence. Hoolock gibbons join the endangered species list since they are India's only ape species that inhabits this park region. The park hosts both Hoolock gibbons and primates including capped languor and rhesus macaque species. Apart from Asiatic elephants and wild buffalo the park provides habitat for the Indian rhinoceros and leopards and the Asiatic elephants.
The wildlife population thrives because Dibru Saikhowa National Park exists between the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers. These rivers become flooded periodically and this natural process restores the park's wetlands thus allowing aquatic species to persist along with an overall healthy ecosystem. The dynamic hydrological process sustains high fish diversity in the park thus benefiting wildlife populations and local human communities.
Dibru Saikhowa National Park faces protection and conservation efforts led by Assam Forest Department and conservation organizations that jointly protect the park from threats like poaching and habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflicts. The park exists in a far-away area with challenging topography that prevents major human intrusion thus conserving its natural appearance while safeguarding biodiversity.