For opening a new mine or starting an industry, today's statute requires baseline data on all aspects of environment in the core and buffer areas of the proposed venture and assessment of baseline data and environment management plan on the adverse effects of industrialisation.

The NLC complex is engaged in a wide spectrum of industrial activities. Problems to be trapped become pronounced from the stage of lignite mining ,its utilisation and final disposal of the wastes . The dreary and parched atmosphere of Neyveli, where mining began,has now given way to lush greenery. The plantation helps control air pollution,acts as a wind barrier and prevents soil erosion. The suspended dust particles emitted from  the Mines,Thermal power stations and other Industrial units are being arrested by the dense tree coverage.

NLC over the years, has successfully  converted the spoils (reclaimed areas)into agricultural fields through modern techniques.The dumped soil ,after excavation, is improved through modern techniques.It is improved in stages to match its original fertility and the agricultural operations are carried out by adding nutrients like organic, inorganic and bio-fertilisers in suitable measures to make the soil suitable for cultivation.  

NLC's afforestration efforts are conceived as a measure for preserving ecological balance and for increased stability of the soil.under the afforestration schemes, so far 166.25 lakhs saplings were planted in Neyveli township and industrial areas.

Afforestation

  To offset the effects of denuded vegetation, NLC initially started afforestation. Tree species like eucalyptus, accacia, babul, bamboo, vagai and neem have been planted on the dumps and other vacant areas. On the slopes also vegetation was planted to check soil erosion. Experiments were done to reclaim 25 acres of mined and backfilled land for agricultural use. Accordingly, top soil was transported and spread to a thickness of around one foot. In order to improve the soil structure and fertility, certain ingredients such as sawdust, flyash, gypsum, farmyard manure and mud were used.

    Trials in reclamation was also carried out successfully without application of top soil. NLC has shown that application of farmyard manure, mud, biodigested cowdung slurry, composted coirpith or vermicompost at 20 tonnes per hectare, together with the recommended fertilizer, lignite, flyash, gypsum and humic acid had a profound influence on the physiochemical properties of the spoil. This provided an ideal condition for growing paddy, pulses, sugarcane and banana. Vegetable gardens were also developed in which brinjal, ladies finger, cauliflower and chillies were grown. The yield of paddy was 6.5 tonnes per hectare and that of banana 25.0, sugarcane 115.0 and maize 8.0 tonnes per hectare respectively.

    Land reclamation has also been well programmed. Every year the area made available through backfilling will be taken up for agriculture, horticulture and forestry programmes in equal proportions. A tie-up arrangement has been proposed for the cultivation of sugar cane every year in 100 acres of mines spoils and supplying the produce to sugar mills. Growing of grass on the slopes has added to their stability besides giving them an aesthetic look.

    The abandoned ash pond at NLC was causing air pollution in the windy season. Lime, farmyard manure, red earth, mud, bio-fertilizer and tank silt were applied in the excavated pits in recommended dosage. Plant species like neem, casurina, cashew, teak, white babul and tamarind trees were planted. All the species survived. Casurina, neem and white babul were found to have a better growth.
 

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

    There is a well organised network at NLC conducting air quality monitoring. Six sampling stations have been selected in confirmity with local site suitability and to cover major population pockets in the vicinity. The air quality is being monitored simultaneously at these locations on every alternate day for 24 hours. The air quality data is sent to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forests on a quarterly basis. NLC is among the very few industries in the country to conduct ambient air quality monitoring exactly as per the guidelines given in emission regulations.

    Noise level is muffled within the threshold limits by use of silencers, ear protection devices, proper lubrication and greasing of machinery. The tall trees grown on the periphery of the mines and the township attenuate the noise level.
 

Afforestation in Township and Industrial Units

    NLC has implemented an afforestation programme both in the township and industrial area to cover all the wastelands. Under the scheme, over one lakh sixty thousand saplings were planted till March 1997. Different species of plants such as eucalyptus, leucena leucocephala, bamboo, accacia, auriculiformis and casurina have been planted. The dreary and parched atmosphere of Neyveli now looks lush green everywhere. The plantation helps control air pollution, acts as a wind barrier, prevents soil erosion, retains moisture level and enhances the nutrition level of the soil.

    Some medicinally important plants have also been found to grow as undergrowth in the afforested area. Besides, the plantation generates 50,000 mandays every year for the landless labourers and helps in the socio-economic development of the villages nearby. Intensive afforestation has not only helped in maintaining ecological balance in Neyveli and surrounding areas but has also earned a lot of revenue for NLC. The sale of eucalyptus pulpwood has earned it a revenue of Rs. 136.62 lakh. Eucalyptus cuttings during 1995-96 and 1996-97 yielded a revenue of Rs. 41.25 lakh and 83.01 lakh respectively. Cashew plantation works have shown an increasing trend in revenue earnings. Sale earnings amounted to Rs. 41 lakh in the last four years. The vegetation cover of the township is so dense that only the top of a church is visible from the heights of the thermal power stations.

    Lakes and ponds have been formed in the afforested areas and a picnic spot created with boating facilites. Thanks to all these, Neyveli has also become a bird sanctuary now attracting hundreds of species round the year. NLC is maintaining 20 public gardens, four public parks and 10 traffic islands with aesthetic lawns and vegetation.

    NLC's efforts in maintaining environment and ecology enabled it to bag the Indira Priadarshini Vrikshamitra Award - 1986, FICCI Award for Environment Preservation and Pollution Control- 1987, and K.P.Goenka Memorial award for Environmental Care - 1986. NLC's futuristic vision is to be in the vanguard among the contributors to the community and the nation by developing and utilising industrial and human resource to the optimum.