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Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary - UPSC Environment And Ecology
What is Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in UPSC Environment And Ecology?
Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is a key topic under Environment And Ecology for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Oil drilling in Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary's ESZ threatens the endangered hoolock gibbon.. Hoollongapar is India's first primate-dedicated sanctuary, protecting the only ape species.. Genetic research (CCMB 2021) suggests only one hoolock gibbon species in India, despite IUCN's two-species listing.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
Why is Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary important for UPSC exam?
Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is a Medium-level topic in UPSC Environment And Ecology. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
How to prepare Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary for UPSC?
To prepare Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Environment And Ecology. (5) Write practice answers linking Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary to related GS Paper topics.
Key takeaways of Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary for UPSC
- Oil drilling in Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary's ESZ threatens the endangered hoolock gibbon.
- Hoollongapar is India's first primate-dedicated sanctuary, protecting the only ape species.
- Genetic research (CCMB 2021) suggests only one hoolock gibbon species in India, despite IUCN's two-species listing.
- Hoolock gibbons are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- The issue highlights the conflict between economic development and biodiversity conservation in India.
Oil Drilling in Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Medium⏱️ 9 min read
environment and ecology
📖 Introduction
Context of the Controversy
The Union Environment Ministry recently approved exploratory oil and gas drilling in Assam's eco-sensitive zones.
This decision has raised significant concerns about the potential threat to the endangered hoolock gibbons.
Cairn India, the oil and gas unit of Vedanta Ltd, seeks to utilize 4-498 hectares of reserved forest land for exploration.
This land is located within the eco-sensitive zone of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary
The Hoollongapar Reserve Forest was upgraded to a Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government of Assam in 1997.
It holds the distinction of being the first protected area in India specifically dedicated to a primate species.
Key Facts About the Hoolock Gibbon
Gibbons are the smallest and fastest apes, naturally inhabiting Asia's tropical and subtropical forests.
The hoolock gibbon is particularly unique as it is endemic to India's northeast region.
- There are approximately 20 gibbon species globally.
- The estimated population of hoolock gibbons in India is around 12,000.
- All 20 gibbon species face a high risk of extinction due to population and distribution decline since 1900.
The primary threat to the hoolock gibbon is deforestation, largely driven by infrastructure projects.
Hoolock Gibbon Species in India: A Genetic Perspective
Historically, two distinct hoolock gibbon species were believed to exist in India's northeastern region: the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) and the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock).
A 2021 study by the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) provided new insights.
Through genetic analysis, the study concluded that there is only one species of ape in India, effectively debunking earlier research.
The CCMB study indicated that the two populations diverged approximately 1.48 million years ago, while gibbons separated from a common ancestor around 8.39 million years ago.
Despite the genetic findings, the IUCN Red List currently categorizes the western hoolock gibbon as Endangered and the eastern hoolock gibbon as Vulnerable.
Conservation Status and Measures
In India, the hoolock gibbon species receives protection under Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.
Understanding the IUCN status and legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act is crucial for UPSC Prelims and Mains questions on biodiversity and conservation.
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Oil drilling in Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary's ESZ threatens the endangered hoolock gibbon.
- •Hoollongapar is India's first primate-dedicated sanctuary, protecting the only ape species.
- •Genetic research (CCMB 2021) suggests only one hoolock gibbon species in India, despite IUCN's two-species listing.
- •Hoolock gibbons are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- •The issue highlights the conflict between economic development and biodiversity conservation in India.
🧠 Memory Techniques
95% Verified Content
📚 Reference Sources
•IUCN Red List (for species status)
•Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972
•Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) 2021 study on Hoolock Gibbon genetics