Tsüngrochetla Walling
Dimapur
Nagaland, a state rich in natural resources, has long known about the oil reserves beneath its land. In a region where economic opportunities remain scarce, the potential benefits of oil extraction such as job creation, increased state revenue, and reduced dependency on central funds are undeniably tempting, but the question is no longer just whether oil should be extracted but how it should be done. Unlike in most parts of India, Nagas have traditional land ownership rights under Article 371A of the Indian Constitution, which gives us autonomy over our resources. However, past attempts at oil extraction in Changpang, where ONGC operated in the 1980s and 1990sended in environmental degradation, land disputes, and mistrust between the state, tribal bodies, and oil companies.
Nagaland must learn from the cautionary tales of how mismanaged oil exploration led to environmental disasters, social unrest, and economic exploitation in many regions of the world, however, there are also examples of responsible oil management, where countries have successfully balanced economic development with environmental sustainability.
Lessons from the world: The cost of oil extraction
One of the most well-known examples of the devastating consequences of oil exploration is Nigeria’s Niger Delta, where decades of uncontrolled drilling have left a trail of destruction. Oil spills have contaminated rivers and farmlands, wiping out the livelihoods of local fishing and farming communities. The lack of proper oversight turned the region into one of the most polluted places on earth, sparking violent conflicts between the government, oil companies, and indigenous groups who felt exploited. In South America, Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet, faced a similar fate. The rainforest, once teeming with wildlife, has been scarred by roads built for drilling operations. Water sources have been poisoned by oil leaks, and indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with nature for generations have been displaced. What was once a pristine ecosystem has now become a battleground between conservationists and oil corporations.
Closer to home, Assam’s Baghjan oil spill in 2020 serves as a stark warning. A blowout at an oil well led to a massive fire that burned for months, devastating nearby villages and critically affecting the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. The explosion not only displaced people but also destroyed habitats of species, including the endangered Gangetic dolphin.
The push for extraction
Nagaland holds a unique constitutional status under Article 371(A), which grants its people ownership over land and resources. In 2010, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly reinforced this by declaring that central laws on petroleum and natural gas would not apply unless approved by the state. However, this assertion of autonomy has also led to disputes between the state government and tribal bodies, and even among communities themselves.
In the past, companies like ONGC conducted oil exploration in areas like Changpang, but environmental damage and allegations of exploitation forced operations to halt in the 1990s. Today, as the state government considers restarting exploration, concerns remain over whether past mistakes will be repeated.
Recent events like the approval of Vedanta’s oil and gas exploration near Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary has ignited protests from environmentalists and local communities. The drilling site, just 13 km from the sanctuary, falls within an ecologically sensitive corridor that stretches into Nagaland. Conservationists warn that such projects could threaten fragile ecosystems and displace wildlife, including India’s only ape species, the endangered hoolock gibbon. Protesters have also raised concerns about land ownership and the lack of proper consultation with indigenous groups. This case serves as a warning—without careful planning and transparent governance, oil exploration could lead to more conflict than progress.
Nagaland is one of the most ecologically rich states in India and more importantly, land is not just a resource in Naga society, it is identity, heritage, and community. Unchecked oil exploration could bring deforestation and biodiversity loss, affecting agricultural practices, water contamination, impacting drinking water and aquatic ecosystems, and displacement of communities, once the oil-rich areas become extraction zones. If exploration is to happen, it must be done with high level of environmental scrutiny.
Include experts, not just politicians
So far, oil exploration discussions have been largely political and economic, dominated by the state and tribal bodies. However, decisions of this magnitude cannot be left to politicians and stakeholders alone. Scientists, environmentalists, and geologists must be involved in the planning process to ensure that:
• Rigorous environmental impact assessments are conducted before any exploration begins.
• Advanced, eco-friendly extraction methods are prioritised over reckless drilling.
• A transparent and inclusive governance model is set up to ensure benefits reach the people, not just corporations or political elites.
Several countries like Norway is a prime example of responsible oil exploration. The country has strict environmental regulations and reinvests oil revenues into its sovereign wealth fund, ensuring long-term economic stability rather than short-term exploitation. Their model includes comprehensive environmental monitoring, strict penalties for oil spills, and investment in clean energy alongside oil extraction. Canada’s oil sands industry, while controversial, has made advancements in reduced water usage, land reclamation projects, and carbon capture technologies to offset environmental damage. Oil companies in Canada are required to restore mined land to its original state, a policy that ensures long-term sustainability. Costa Rica, though not an oil producer, has repeatedly rejected oil drilling proposals, choosing instead to invest in renewable energy and eco-tourism. The country remains one of the world's most bio diverse nations, proving that economic growth doesn’t have to rely on fossil fuels.
These examples show that oil extraction can be done responsibly but only with strong regulations, environmental oversight, and a commitment to sustainability. Oil exploration could bring economic prosperity, but if mismanaged, it could also bring irreversible destruction. The state must tread with utmost caution, and must balance economic aspirations with ecological and cultural preservation. All relevant voices including scientists, policymakers, environmentalists, and the people must be brought into the conversation. Only then can Nagaland ensure that development does not come at the cost of its future.
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