Bhubaneswar: On the International Day of Forests, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium producer, unveiled its significant endeavors to safeguard the environment in and around its operations in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The company is deeply committed to preserving and enhancing the biological diversity of ecosystems as a core aspect of its strategy.
Vedanta Aluminium has completed extensive afforestation on five decommissioned ash dykes at its BALCO operations in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, covering an area exceeding 150 hectares. These dykes, previously utilized for storing fly ash, have been transformed into thriving forests through the planting of nearly 200,000 saplings. Fly ash, a byproduct of thermal power production, finds a new purpose in this process, while the reclaimed areas now support a diverse range of indigenous tree species such as Karanj, Sheesham, Neem, Amsol, and Gulmohar.
In Jharsuguda, Odisha, where Vedanta Aluminium operates a major aluminium plant, the company has embarked on planting vulnerable tree species like Chloroxylon swietenia. Additionally, it has pioneered extensive afforestation efforts using the innovative Miyawaki method near its Jamkhani coal mines in Sundargarh district, Odisha. This approach has resulted in the establishment of a self-sustaining plantation with over 8,000 plants, including various fruit-bearing species, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15.
To bolster its ecological endeavors, Vedanta Aluminium has implemented comprehensive Biodiversity Management Plans (BMP) across its operations, in collaboration with ERM India. These plans serve as blueprints for conserving and enhancing biodiversity, with the aim of achieving a Net Positive Impact (NPI) on biodiversity by 2030. CEO John Slaven emphasized the company’s holistic approach to sustainability, underscoring the importance of biodiversity conservation in responsible business practices.
In observance of the International Day of Forests, Vedanta Aluminium initiated awareness campaigns among employees and community members to foster greater appreciation and action for local biodiversity conservation. This included organizing awareness sessions with Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) in Jharsuguda, Odisha, focusing on innovative solutions for forest preservation. Additionally, initiatives such as setting up fruit orchards and mango orchards, distributing fruit tree saplings, and conducting cleanliness drives in nearby forests were undertaken to actively involve the community in environmental stewardship.
Through these multifaceted initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium demonstrates its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation, both within its operations and in collaboration with local communities.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
