On the International Day of Biological Diversity, Vedanta Aluminium, India's top aluminium producer, announced a collaboration with ERM India, a renowned environmental consulting firm, to strengthen its Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP).

This partnership aims to reinforce biodiversity management practices throughout Vedanta Aluminium's operations, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.

Under this collaboration, ERM India will assess and enhance Vedanta Aluminium's biodiversity conservation efforts, focusing on operations across various locations and using globally recognised metrics and tools.

Based on the assessment, ERM India will provide recommendations to further strengthen biodiversity initiatives, which will contribute to positive actions and help mitigate climate change. This collaboration will enable Vedanta Aluminium to develop an improved roadmap for nurturing biodiversity and establishing new goals, including Science-Based Targets for Nature, reinforcing the company's dedication to sustainable development.

Vedanta Aluminium is dedicated to integrating the principles of 'Lifestyle for Environment – LiFE,' a government initiative in India, and enhancing its contributions to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15, which focus on conserving aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.

Mr Rahul Sharma, CEO of Vedanta Ltd – Aluminium Business, expressed his thoughts on the collaboration, stating, "At Vedanta Aluminium, we understand the vital role of biodiversity conservation in sustainable business operations. We continually strive for greater sustainability and environmental consciousness, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to preserving nature for future generations. We are excited about collaborating with ERM India to strengthen our Biodiversity Management Plan and enhance biodiversity management practices.

"This partnership reflects our strong commitment to responsible environmental stewardship. Together with ERM India, we aim to assess and improve our biodiversity conservation efforts, aligning them with global standards and best practices. This collaboration is a significant milestone in our journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future."

Dr Arun Venkataraman, Technical Consulting Director at ERM India, also commented on the collaboration, saying, "We are delighted to collaborate with Vedanta Aluminium in their commendable efforts to bolster their Biodiversity Management Plan and strengthen biodiversity management practices. Our goal is to deploy globally recognised tools and metrics to help the company enhance its range of biodiversity initiatives.

"Vedanta Aluminium's commitment to sustainable business operations and its recognition of the crucial role of biodiversity conservation is commendable. We also look forward to learning from their successful approaches to establishing sustainable practices and ensuring inclusive development."

On the occasion of the International Day of Biological Diversity, Vedanta Aluminium initiated several projects across its business units in Odisha and Chhattisgarh states of India:

• The company has made significant contributions to wildlife conservation, particularly in protecting species listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act in Balco and Jharsuguda. Awareness sessions were organised for local villagers to safeguard the endangered Yellow Monitor Lizard, which is hunted for traditional medicine.
• A conservation project was launched to protect over 30 species of butterflies, including several protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, by establishing a new butterfly park in Jharsuguda.
• It planted saplings of the vulnerable Chloroxylon swietenia, commonly known as Ceylon Satinwood, in Jharsuguda to ensure its protection.
• The company undertook the restoration of numerous local water bodies around its business units to rejuvenate aquatic life and support the livelihoods of local communities. To date, Vedanta Aluminium has restored over 40 local water bodies in Odisha and Chhattisgarh for community use.
• Under the Vedanta Sakhi project in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, several women were selected to participate in apiculture (beekeeping) training, where they learned about different honeybee species, beekeeping equipment, and the installation of bee colonies.
• To support local bird species, Vedanta Aluminium installed birdhouses and nests in its operational areas. Additionally, watering stations were set up in peripheral areas to provide hydration for birds and animals during hot weather. The company also partnered with school students to organise plantation drives, where the students pledged their commitment to conservation efforts.

About Vedanta Aluminium

Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, holds the distinction of being India's largest aluminium producer, manufacturing over half of the country's aluminium output, totalling 2.29 million tonnes in FY23.

The company specialises in value-added aluminium products that are crucial in various core industries. Ranked second in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 for the aluminium industry, Vedanta Aluminium's sustainable development practices are widely recognised. Through its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery, and power plants in India, the company actively promotes the use of aluminium as the 'Metal of the Future' to contribute to a greener tomorrow.

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Source: Vedanta