Public hearing to decide OIL�s exploration survey in Brahmaputra

[Dilip/Dil Deka]

It is one good step to publish the news about public hearing (though there was no date provided in the news). The next step is for the informed public to show up at the hearing and speak strongly against the exploration work if there is even the slightest doubt. Will that happen? Or will it again be a hearing attended only by OIL officials and Assam govt. representatives without any expertise who will say yes, go ahead? If that happens, protest by AASU and others will start when OIL mobilizes for the exploration work and that will be too late.
  I am actually pleasantly surprised that there is even a notice for a public hearing in India. Let the public make good use of this application of good democratic practice.
  I'd have liked to write to the English newspapers in Assam but the email addresses I have do not work.
  Dilip
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  From the Sentinel:
   
  Public hearing to decide OIL’s exploration survey in Brahmaputra
Is the plan viable? 
The survey report has been prepared on the basis of the Geological Survey of India Report, 1967, a report too old to be taken into account while considering a plan of such magnitude, felt some concerned citizens of the area. 
>From our Reporter
TINSUKIA, Oct 29: A public hearing at Amalapatty Natya Mandir, Dibrugarh tomorrow will decide the fate of public sector oil major Oil India Limited’s (OIL) move to conduct an exploration at the river-bed of the Brahmaputra in. It may be mentioned that it is for the first time in the history of the company that a survey for future exploration in the river-bed has been considered by the oil giant.
The company had taken a step to carry out seismic survey in the river-bed and some of its surrounding area covering a length of 175 km and a breadth of 75 km which had so far been unexplored. It is learnt that all the necessary arrangements have already been completed by the company to carry out its proposed plan.
But the plan ran into rough weather as many crucial points needed further clarification. Sharp reactions have been created among the concerned citizens and environmentalists on the exploration move of the OIL, since the report on which the proposed move has been based, is said to contain many debatable points.
The survey report has been prepared on the basis of the Geological Survey of India Report, 1967, a report too old to be taken into account while considering a plan of such magnitude which involves the flora and fauna of the whole area, a few concerned citizens of the area said. 
Further, the zone in which the exploration work is supposed to be undertaken falls under the Dibru-Saikhowa Reserve Forest in Tinsukia district which is in itself a bio-diversity hot-spot. But the actual area, where the exploration work would be carried out, has not been divulged by the OIL authorities till now.
It is also learnt that the survey report says the exploration area to be quite safe and far from any sizeable presence of flora and fauna.
It is also learnt that 2.5 kg of gelatine will be used for blasting purpose but what is more concerning is that these explosives would be blasted only at a depth of 20 metres from the surface. This will not only pose great danger to the flora and fauna of the area but can also change the course of the Brahmaputra. A fractional change in the course of the mighty river can bring about disastrous consequences in the future.
Environmentalist of the area have been raising their voices over the proposed plan and their concerns forced the OIL authorities to make a presentation of their plan at the hearing tomorrow. If the OIL decides to give the plan a green signal even after failing to convince the viability of their plan before the gathering tomorrow, they are sure to face the ire of many groups and individuals.
It may also be mentioned that Oil MNC Premiere Oil had previously rejected the same plan considering that some important issues needed more deliberation.
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