Vedanta Aluminium conducts mass plantation drive under Govt. of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign

Aligned with the Central Government’s campaign, the company established a ‘Matrivan’ in a reclaimed ash storage area in Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda:Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, conducted a mass plantation drive in Jharsuguda as part of Government of India’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. Organised in collaboration with Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), more than 2,000 saplings were planted by members of the district administration, school children, and employee volunteers,to establish a ‘Matri Van’ in Kapumal,a reclaimed ash storage area in the district. Under the initiative, Vedanta Jharsuguda aims to plant over 1 lakh saplings across the region, this year.

The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign was launched by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024 to help achieve green cover targets and adopt a sustainable lifestyle for combating the challenges of climate change.The event in Jharsuguda was inaugurated by Shri Tankadhara Tripathi, MLA, Jharsuguda, Shrimati Aboli Sunil Naravane, Collector and District Magistrate, Jharsuguda, Shri Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, SP,Jharsuguda, Shri Manu Ashok Bhatt, District Forest Officer, Jharsuguda, in the presence of NGOs, school students, and the local community.

Mr. Sunil Gupta,COO – Vedanta Aluminium, said,“At Vedanta Aluminium, we embrace environmental conservation as a cornerstone of our sustainable business practices. Our initiatives aim to conserve and nurture thriving natural ecosystems while educating communities on best practices. We are proud to support the Government of India’s ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign, reflecting our commitment to offsetting emissions and promoting environmental stewardship.We strive to pioneer eco-conscious approaches that safeguard our planet for generations to come.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tankadhara Tripathy, MLA, Jharsuguda said,“I commend Vedanta for supporting us in this endeavour. Preserving nature is not only an environmental imperative but also a shared responsibility and a strategic interest for both businesses and society. Together, let us create a happier, healthier, and greener environment for our communities.”

Ms. Aboli Sunil Naravane, Collector and District Magistrate, said, ‘Ithankthe Vedanta Jharsuguda team for undertaking such a massive plantation drive. As one of the leading natural resources companies in India, Vedanta Aluminium has been instrumental in the socio-economic development of the region. We hope to see the company continue to contribute towards Odisha’s prosperity in the years to come.”

Shri Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, SP Jharsuguda said,“VedantaJharsuguda’s participation in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative is a shining example of corporate social responsibility in action. Such initiatives are crucial for fostering a healthier ecosystem and improving the quality of life for future generations. I hope this inspires other organizations and individuals to join hands in preserving our natural heritage.”

The company has embarked on an extensive range of nature conservation projects in Jharsuguda, achieving several milestones in the journey:

• Established a lush new Butterfly Park within its premises at Jharsuguda, Odisha, that harbours over 100 meticulously curated selections of plant species that will attract and nurture more than 30 rare and exquisite butterfly species providing them with a nurturing habitat. The Butterfly Park will further play a pivotal role in providing a thriving ecosystem to local flora and fauna such as rare flowering plant species, birds, bees, etc. 
• Undertook a plantation drive for the vulnerable species, Chloroxylon Swietenia
• Restored 30 community ponds in the last two financial years
• Constructed signage boards on wildlife movement to protect species such as deer and elephants in animal corridors.
• Conducted Nukkad Nataks to help spread awareness about nature conservstion through the engaging medium of drama and storytelling.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. 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.