Meramandali– Tata Steel Meramandali (TSM) today inaugurated a 25-acre biodiversity park, a remarkable transformation of a former ash mound near its plant in Narendrapur village, Dhenkanal district. The park, located in Odapada Tehsil, exemplifies TSM’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its ability to create thriving ecosystems from degraded industrial sites.

Ruchi Narendran in the presence of Uttam Singh, Vice President, Operations-TSM, and other senior officials inaugurated the park.

The site, previously used for fly ash disposal and with a maximum elevation of 72-74 meters above mean sea level, underwent a comprehensive reclamation project adhering to all statutory guidelines. The resulting biodiversity park includes Butterfly Park, providing food and nesting sites for various butterfly species; Ixora Valley, a sloped landscape offering additional habitat and slope stabilization; Oxygen Park, strategically planted vegetation to enhance oxygen production; Bamboo Tunnel, a carbon sequestration feature showcasing sustainable bamboo use for soil erosion control and organic matter provision;Medicinal Herb Garden, medicinal herbs, promoting local knowledge and access to valuable plant-based remedies, etc.

The park also has aReptile Mount, a dedicated habitat for local reptile populations and Nesting Niche, that provides safe roosting habitats for various avian species.

The park now supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including numerous butterfly species, birds, and reptiles. The project’s estimated annual carbon sequestration potential is approximately 120 tonnes of CO2, underscoring Tata Steel’s dedication to environmental stewardship and its commitment to creating a positive impact on the local community and environment.