Cement, Energy & Environment Jan-Mar 2002

( motivated to plant various trees on farm boundary I dhura, and fruit/ shade-giving tree saplings have been provided to them free of cost. Fruit Trees Plantation Propagated fruit tree saplings have been distributed free of cost to villagers for planting in their courtyards, school premises, places of worship, etc. Trees for Life' Movement The plant joined the 'Trees for Life' movement in the year 1991. The main purpose of the movement was to create awareness among villagers about the significance of eating fruits and motivating them to plant fruit trees in their courtyards, and duly tend them to ensure their survival. Besides Vermiculture A vermiculture project has been set up on the plant premises. Under this, earthworms are grown which convert organic waste into bio– fertiliser. The project has been producing a few tonnes of bio-fertiliser every year. The bio-fertiliser is used in the plant's orchard as well as other fruit plantations, and this has the saplings, technical Lush greenery with nesting birds flapping about and the plant in the far knowhow also was-provided to background. them. A total of 24 villages have been covered under this programme. The fruit tree saplings distributed are fast-growing and early fruit– bearing ones like guava, lemon, sitaphal (custard apple), banana, drumsticks (sevaga), pomegranate. Seed Packets (Adventure Kit) To inculcate among school children the habit of planting fruit trees and taking care of them, 1,470 packets/ mini-kits of fruit tree seeds of sevaga (drumsticks) and Papaya with literature on sowing, planting, nurturing them wer:e distributed in schools located in Jiwati, Kodepur, Bahmni, Padoli, Rupapet and Dampur-Mohda in the area. Landscaping and Gardens Extensive lawns and gardens covering 1,40, 000 sq. rn area have been laid out outside the plant's leasehold area. started yielding results. Farmers from surrounding villages are invited to study and observe this demonstration project. Once they are convinced of its benefits~ basic earthworm culture is planned to be.passed on to them. Publicity and Extension The plant organises slogan, cartoon, and poem writing competitions as well as garden development and maintenance competitions for its employees and their family"mernbers, from time to time, for sustaining their involvement in environmental protection. Similar competitions are organised also for college and school students in the surrounding villages, at L&T' s district headquarters, Chandrapur, regional headquarters, Nagpur to spread the message of environmental protection. 13