New twist in Dibru-Saikhowa case: Assam forest dept and OIL pitched against each other

Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday received the affidavits filed by the Assam forest department and Oil India Limited (OIL) in connection with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for granting OIL the permission to drill in the Dibru Saikhowa National Park.

The petitioners had filed an IA for calling of certain records from Assam State Biodiversity Board. Against this the OIL authorities filed an affidavit wherein a categorical statement has been made that "no public consultation was conducted while granting Environmental Clearance" for the 7 hydrocarbons projects as proposed in and around Dibru Saikhowa National Park.

It is further stated that the company is committed to the undertaking submitted before the Hon'ble Supreme Court (with regard to the Biodiversity Impact study), which will be implemented prior to the start of the drilling operation.

Further the Govt of Assam in the Forest Department has also filed another affidavit stating that no Biodiversity Impact Assessment has yet been carried out by the ASBB, which infact fortifies and vindicates the stand of the petitioners. The OIL authorities sought time before the court during the proceedings today (17.11.2020) to file their response against this affidavit filed by the State.

On the last hearing, the court had directed both the parties to file an affidavit and mention if OIL had complied with Supreme Court's order of 2017 to carry a biodiversity impact assessment study through the forest department before the permission was given to drill at DSPN.

In the affidavit by the Forest department, they had mentioned that a budget of Rs 22 lakh was given for holding the biodiversity impact study by the Forest department, but OIL had not replied to it since 2017.

OIL has also stated that they will not go for any drilling till they comply with the Supreme Court's direction, which in a way shows that OIL never did the Biodiversity Impact study. However, they have now asked for time to respond to the affidavit by the forest.

The next hearing of the court is scheduled on December 7.

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