- 18th CII ITC Sustainability Awards
- Creating a greener, more sustainable future
Bhubaneswar: Tata Steel’s Sukinda Chromite Mine has been conferred the “Excellence in Biodiversity” management award at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) ITC Sustainability Awards 2023. Operating under the company’s Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD), the mine was honoured with the coveted award for its outstanding efforts in biodiversity conservation in and around its operational area.
The prestigious award was presented by Sanjiv Puri, Chairman and Managing Director of ITC Limited and President-Designate of CII, at the 18th CII ITC Sustainability Awards held at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi. Devraj Tiwari, Head of Mining at Sukinda Chromite Mine, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Pankaj Satija, Executive-In-Charge of FAMD at Tata Steel, expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment, emphasizing the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. He quoted Chief Seattle, saying, “Earth does not belong to human beings. Human beings belong to the Earth,” highlighting Tata Steel’s conscientious approach as a responsible corporate entity. Satija thanked the jury for recognizing their steadfast dedication to preserving biodiversity, expressing confidence that it would motivate the team to continue their efforts.
The commendable initiatives undertaken by Tata Steel, such as community awareness programs like Prajatiya Khadyotsav (an authentic tribal food and culture festival), Green Therapy (a festival for sharing ethnobotanical knowledge), Jaibakala Vividhata (an event promoting biodiversity through art), Sarjom Baa (a tribal music festival), as well as conservation measures for the local silkworm species Sukinda Ecorace, Butterfly Garden, and Medicinal Park, garnered praise from the award assessors.
Tata Steel’s comprehensive approach to biodiversity management is aligned with its broader sustainability objectives, encompassing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote circular economy principles, and enhance social inclusion.
