Cement, Energy & Environment Jan-Mar 2002

- EN-VIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AT I a~~RPuR cEMENT woRKs -- . The article outlines facets of environmental conservation and ecological improvement successfully undertaken by Larsen & Toubro's Awaipur Cement Works. Not only has the management transformed the landscape around the plant green, it has even motivated and aided the surrounding villages to emulate this tree plantation drive. The pla11t has earned ISO: 14001 accreditation for its Environmental management system and also won several awards at state and national levels for its contributions to environmental improvement– Ed. Introduction Side by side wi th its commitment to growth, Larsen &Toubro Ltd has always held concern for the environment as an integral part of its social policy. This concern overarches preserving the ecology as well as fulfilling the needs of the community the company serves. This fact is amply manifested at the company's Awarpur Cement Works (ACW). Twenty years ago, the site where the plant now stands was a barren land. But today, with more than 4lakh trees, one will find greenery all around ACW. Indeed the plant has implemented a wide range of measures at different levels to spread the message of a green environment. A brief account of these activities follows . Road Avenue Plantation Tree species like Ba uhinia, Pel tophoru m, Rain-Tree, Kigelia, Black Siris, have been planted in huge numbers along road avenues. With their luxuriant flowering, they beautify the entire area round the year. The tree planting indeed has been extended far beyond the plant's environs to even public roads . Accordingly 9340 road avenue trees have been planted along a 35-km stretch of public road on Chandrapur- Nagpur, 12 Chandrapur - Ghuggus and Chandrapur - MIDC (via Datala), Bhoyegaon and Chandrapur bypass routes. The species planted are: neem, mango, kara11ja, gulmohur, Peltophorum, Lagerstromiya, etc. These trees have been provided tree guards made of RCC posts, barbed wire fencing, drums, etc, to ensure their survival. In addition, 20 Gram Panchayats in the neighbourhood have been motivated to plant road avenue trees. To this end, saplings of neem, karanja, etc, have been supplied free of cost, to them. Add to this 151 schools in Rajura and Korpana Talukas of Chandrapur district, who have been motivated to plant trees in their premises, and provided free saplings for the purpose. Others to be likewise provided tree saplings are: TB Hospita l Chandrapur, Railway Station Gadchandur and Police Outpost, Awatpur. Vriksha Dindi To create an awareness among school children about the benefits of tree plantation, ceremonial processions of saplings in palanquin, along with hoardings and banners, are arranged in villages. Slogans have been written on the walls of buildings to spread awareness on environment. Further, farmers in the area around the factory have been