Introduction:
Historically, Assam was known as Mung dun chunkham. It is situated in North East India, which is renowned for having abundant natural resources and biodiversity. The first oil well was drilled in 1866 after crude oil was discovered in the late 19th century. The first and oldest oil wells in India are both at Digboi. Crude oil was discovered in Tinsukia area of Assam after digboi at many locations. On May 27, 2020, at about 10.30 a.m., oil spilled from the Baghjan well no. 5 of Oil India Limited[OIL]. Uncontrolled natural gas emission from a well. Different biological and safety-related crises are being caused by it. And it was the ninth of June 2020; the gas leak had been ongoing for 12 days. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) assisting the crisis management team in their efforts to control the situation. the tools and supplies needed for the snubbing operation at the baghjan well site of OIL. The well-killing operation’s snubbing squad was brought in from Canada and was named Calgary. After 173 days of arduous battle, the breach was eventually sealed on November 15, 2020, using a method called snubbing. It took just six months to seal the leak and put out the fire. Well No. 5 was subsequently abandoned on December 3, 2020.
IMPORTANCE OF BLOWOUT SURROUNDINGS
The DibruSaikhowa National Park in Assam, which has very rare and endangered species like Gangetic dolphins, as well as herds of wild horses, tigers, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, slow loris, and several rare butterflies and fish, is connected to the Baghjan Oil Field, which is located in a very eco-sensitive area. The Dehing Patkai wildlife refuge, also touches the Namdapha National Park. A biodiversity hotspot in Indo-Burma includes these areas. In addition, Baghjan lies relatively close to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. A place where the three rivers Siang, Dibang, and Lohit converge to form the river Brahmaputra is where the DibruSaikhowa National Park and Biosphere Reserve is located.
The baghjan gas well no. 5 is about 900 meters from the national park’s center and 300 meters from the edge of the park’s buffer forest. Unique biodiversity may be found in the national parks of Kaziranga Orang and Dibru Saikhowa. Baghjan’s geography made it susceptible to earthquakes. According to the 2011 census, 4,488 people were living in the neighborhood of Baghjan village. According to data from the Dibru National Park and Maguri Wetland, the region is home to over 40 species of animals, 450 species of birds, 104 species of fish, 11 species of chelonians, 18 species of reptiles, 23 species of snakes, 165 species of butterflies, and 680 species of plants. Wild buffalo, barking deer, and a variety of avifauna are among the flora and fauna that call the water basins and surrounding grasslands home. The marsh is recognized as a crucial bird location by birdlife International, a global alliance of NGOs. The wildlife sanctuary in Bherjan-Borajan and Padumoni is the following significant conservation area. The MaguriMotapung Beel is located to the south of Bherjan-Borajan, which is 6 kilometers from the blast site. Podumoni is located 8 km to the west of the blast site. These places were home to hoolock gibbons and are a haven for butterflies.