Report by OrissaDiary.com correspondent; Bhubaneswar: The environmental responsibilities of Tata Steel are driven by the commitment to preserve the environment. In line with this policy, the steel major is encouraging and facilitating the Self Help Groups (SHGs) to develop nurseries for environmental sustainability.

The pro-active measures taken by the steel major to promote the self-help groups (SHGs) has helped in this endeavour while improving the quality of life of the people living in and around its operational areas.

Making maximum use of the mine discharge (waste) water in Sukinda, two self-help groups (SHGs) assisted by Tata Steel, are now able to raise more than 60,000 saplings in the Central Nursery located adjacent to the Katepurty Stadium of Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM).

Maa  Mangala  Mahila  Samiti of Rogada & Maa Khandurai Mahila Samiti of Rangamatia villages in Sukinda are growing a variety of forest plant species like Teak, Neem, Sesame, Accacia, Gambhari, Karanja, Shirish, Jatropha, and Red & White Chakunda .

The plants raised in the nursery are sold to Tata Steel for its afforestation work and village area plantation programmes. As a result, these two SHGs are able to earn additional income of about Rs 1, 50,000 every year in addition to fire wood from the plantation site.

Maa Tarini  Mahila  Samiti, a  SHG formed in Chingudiapal village with 8 members, has also developed a nursery. It has taken up raising plants like Teak & Jatropha. At present the SHG is producing about 20,000 plants, thereby earning about Rs 50,000 annually.

Similarly, in Joda area, where Tata Steel has mining operations, 2 SHG groups namely Tulsi SHG and Shri Ganesh SHG of Bichakundi have come forward and developed a nursery using the mine discharge water.

With the technical, infrastructural and material support of Tata Steel, the group was able to earn more than Rs.3.15 lakhs in just 6 months. This has helped in improving the quality of life of the members.

The promotion of SHGs to take up various income generation activities aimed at protection of the environment only shows the commitment of the steel company towards environmental sustainability.