The Global Risk Report (2021) by World Economic Forum lists loss of biodiversity as the second-greatest danger after climate change. Biodiversity plays a vital role in ecosystem services and is a key focus area of Aditya Birla Group businesses' ESG strategy.
Aditya Birla Group considers ESG not merely as a part of its business strategy, but at the very core of it. Hence, it defines sustainability as the 'ability to sustain'. This International Day for Biological Diversity, the Group showcases some of its most notable biodiversity preservation initiatives.
Greenbelt development
Greenbelts act as living walls to offset carbon emissions. Moreover, the presence of a larger greenbelt ensures that native species continue to thrive, keeping the natural ecosystem of the region intact.
Hindalco's current greenbelt stands at over 5,144 acres, with over 4.5 lakh trees planted last year alone, growing the cumulative greenbelt by 10%.
Miyawaki plantation
Miyawaki is a unique plantation technique developed by Japanese forester and botanist Akira Miyawaki, an expert in natural forests and restoration. Using this technique, various native species of plants are grown close together so that they only receive sunlight from above and grow vertically rather than laterally. Plants grown in this manner are at least 30 times denser, grow 10 times faster, and become maintenance-free after a few years.
Grasim Industries in Vilayat (Bharuch, Gujarat) is developing a Miyawaki forest outside its factory premises. Over 68,000 trees have already been planted at two locations, with the aim of reaching 1,00,000 trees before the start of the monsoon season. This includes approximately 35,000 trees comprising over 80 different types of trees, shrubs, and smaller plants, planted over two acres of land.
In comparison to traditional forests, Miyawaki-developed forest areas are found to have higher biodiversity and are proven to capture more carbon emissions. The goals of the Miyawaki technique include improving biodiversity, sequestering carbon, increasing green cover, lowering air pollution, and preserving the water table.
Hindalco applied this technique at Aditya Aluminium's CHP area, resulting in a high plant survival rate of 99.5%. The area has also become a hotspot for butterflies owing to the presence of a diverse range of plant species.
Initiatives carried out under the
Biodiversity Management Plans
Using the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) tool, Hindalco conducted biodiversity assessments to identify high-priority sites that could benefit from a detailed Biodiversity Management Plan. Four such plans were developed for five of Hindalco's facilities last year.
Utkal Alumina
Hindalco undertook an afforestation programme at its Utkal Alumina unit, which added 20% new species. Bird diversity was also increased by installing bird nest boxes on trees with low density of mature tree cover.
Gare Palma
Over 10,000 saplings were planted near Hindalco's coal mines in Gare Palma, Chhattisgarh, in the last year, increasing its green cover by 5.7%. The CSR team also carried out plantations under the Wadi Project to promote sustainable livelihood for the tribal population.
Aditya Aluminium
Hindalco identified sites at Aditya Aluminium with native butterfly species and prepared a plan to preserve their habitat. The team developed a 2,000 sq. metre butterfly conservation area and planted native trees, herbs, and shrubs to attract butterflies and pollinator insects.
Bagru
While water harvesting is mandatory for every restored mining site, the Hindalco team went one step further at Bagru mines, Jharkhand. They utilised the water harvesting structures for pisciculture, allowing the local communities to engage in the fish trade and earn a sustainable livelihood.
Mining, a sustainable business
UltraTech Cement has seamlessly integrated biodiversity considerations into its operations. In addition to IUCN, it partners with several external agencies such as Terracon and Green Future Foundation for policy development and assessment. Extensive biodiversity assessments are routinely carried out at its limestone mines in collaboration with the local forest department to create an action plan for the preservation of local flora and fauna. In recognition for its sustainable and responsible mining practices, 13 of its mines have been awarded a 5-star rating by the Ministry of Mines for 2021-22.
Essel Mining is one of India's largest iron ore mining companies and producers of noble ferro alloys. Recognising its responsibility towards environmental sustainability, it consistently implements reclamation and afforestation plans at its open cast mines. With Biodiversity Management being a key ESG focus area at Essel Mining, proactive measures are taken to provide a safe and healthy environment for flora and fauna to flourish.
Saving the lives of birds
Birds often meet their death from frequent collisions with power lines. To reduce such unfortunate instances at Pro Minerals Private Limited (PMPL), the Essel Mining team has attached brightly coloured bird deflectors to the cables so that birds can see them even from a long distance and divert their paths.
With World Environment Day coming soon, stay tuned to learn more about the initiatives undertaken by Aditya Birla Group to protect our planet.
Sources:
Hindalco Integrated Annual Report 2021-22
UltraTech Cement Sustainability Report 2021-22
EMIL Sustainability Report 2021-22