Vedanta Aluminium bolsters efforts towards conserving biodiversity

22nd May 2022

  • Embarks on conservation project for indigenous bird species across its locations

New Delhi; 22nd May, 2022: On International Day of Biological Diversity, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, announces that it is intensifying efforts towards nurturing biodiversity in the areas of its operations in Odisha & Chhattisgarh, as part of its sustainable development agenda. The company has embarked on conservation projects for indigenous bird species that include constructing birdhouses, artificial nests, and bird baths at multiple locations inside its plants and townships. Supplementing this effort, its Business Units are developing fruit orchards and gardens with medicinal plants, reviving butterfly parks, and undertaking a slew of other initiatives. The day also saw Vedanta Aluminium’s employees kick-off of the annual cleaning of local water bodies and community ponds, by volunteering for the activity.

Vedanta Aluminium’s operation at Lanjigarh, in Kalahandi district of Odisha, is located in a richly biodiverse region. More than 380 faunal and 940 floral species have been recorded in the core (inside plant area) and buffer (up to 10 kilometres from the plant) zones, including native and migratory birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, macrophytes (large aquatic plants), medicinal plants, and more. The region also supports 26 floral and faunal species of conservation interest, identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Similarly, Vedanta Aluminium’s operations in Jharsuguda (Odisha) are home to nearly 30 native species of trees and plants, while some Schedule I fauna species like Elephant, Sloth Bear, Indian Rock Python, Common Indian Monitor and Pea Fowl also inhabit the region. BALCO, Vedanta’s subsidiary based in Korba (Chhattisgarh), is also surrounded with rich flora and fauna, recording over 20 species of flora, 30 species of butterflies, 11 species of invertebrates, 72 species of birds and 18 species of mammals.

Nurturing biodiversity is a critical pillar of Vedanta Aluminium’s approach to ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) excellence for sustainable development. Environment sustainability encompasses water conservation, waste management, air quality control, and climate action. Towards this end, the company also undertakes extensive annual plantation drives, deep cleaning of ponds and local aquatic bodies in the summers so they can be naturally recharged and rejuvenated during monsoons, and reclamation and rehabilitation of mined out areas/abandoned quarries, while also working towards water positivity and carbon neutrality.

Speaking about the company’s approach to biodiversity conservation, Mr Rahul Sharma, CEO – Aluminium Business, Vedanta Limited, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, our passion for nurturing the vibrant ecosystem in our locations is bolstered by a robust Biodiversity Policy & Management Standard in line with global standards. Each of our business units have developed a Biodiversity Management Plan, pertaining to the unique ecosystem, flora and fauna of their respective sites. Starting with bird conservation, we have some more interesting projects in the works. With these, we aim to add to the bio-richness of the regions where we operate.”

Testimony to Vedanta Aluminium’s biodiversity management efforts, in 2019, its Bodai Daldali bauxite mine in Chhattisgarh was ranked among the top 6 mines out of a total of 180 mines assessed across the globe on sustainability practices by the Responsible Mining Index Foundation. The company has rehabilitated the mined-out area with millions of native and fruit bearing trees, built ponds/water reservoirs for groundwater recharge, and check dams to stop run-off. This area has since then been identified with numerous bird species, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and butterflies.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.26 million tonnes in FY22. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 4th in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2021 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its 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. www.vedantaaluminium.com

Related to:

#biodiversity #biodiversityconservation #biodiversityday #birdconservation #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #ESG #vedantaaluminium

About Vedanta Limited:

Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.

For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com

About Vedanta Aluminium Business:

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.

For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com

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