A SMOKE MUSHROOM hangs over Assam’s Dibru- Saikhowa National Park. A gas well on the edge of the park that had been billowing methane and crude oil uncontrollably for the past two weeks caught fire in the afternoon of June 9. Within hours, the inferno spread to over a kilometre forcing residents of nearby villages to run for their lives. Four people have been injured and about 50 houses burnt as the fire continues to rage. The smoke will cause severe and long-term damage to the ecology of the world’s only riverine island wildlife reserve and the Brahmaputra, Lohit and Dibru rivers that surround it (see ‘What’s at risk’ on p19).
The fire broke out “while clearing operations were on”, says a June 9 press release by Oil India Limited (OIL), the public sector company that operates the well located in Baghjan village of Tinsukia district. The company undertakes oil and gas extraction and exploratory operations in 23 wells around Baghjan (see ‘A question of priority’ on p19).
Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin June 16, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Down To Earth dergisinin June 16, 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.
