Key stakeholders discuss environmental and regulatory challenges, with emphasis on the Northeast’s role in India’s energy independence vision

The second edition of the Regional Workshop on Recent Advances in Environment & Forest Laws, with a special focus on the oil and gas sector, successfully concluded at the State Convention Centre in Shillong. The event, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Regional Office in collaboration with the Society for Petroleum Professionals (SPP) and hosted by Oil India Limited and ONGC Limited, saw participation from government officials, industry leaders, and environmental experts.

The Northeast Region (NER) has emerged as a key player in India’s ambitious goal of achieving “Energy Independence by 2050.” Contributing 13 per cent of the country’s crude oil and 16 per cent of natural gas, the region holds vast untapped hydrocarbon reserves, estimated at 5.6 billion tonnes of oil equivalent (BTOE), making it vital to India’s energy future.

The workshop aimed to address the region’s unique challenges in the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and gas, focusing on environmental and regulatory concerns. Imtienla Ao, Deputy Director General (Forests), MoEF&CC, revisited the 19 regulatory issues identified during the inaugural 2019 workshop and provided updates on their resolution. “Oil companies and MoEF&CC are partners striving to balance progress with conservation,” Ao stated, emphasizing the collaborative effort between the government and industry.

SPP President Yash Malik, in his opening address, advocated for the classification of projects near international borders as Strategic Energy Projects of National Importance, stressing that streamlined approval processes are essential for strengthening India’s energy security.

A.K. Mohanty, Additional Director General (Forests), MoEF&CC, joined the workshop virtually, urging innovative solutions to strike a balance between environmental conservation and industrial development.

As the Northeast continues to play a pivotal role in India’s energy landscape, the workshop underscored the need for a balanced approach to ensure sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector while addressing environmental concerns.