During my visit to Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited, a Government of India Enterprise at Neyveli in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu in 2014, I was particularly impressed by the work done by the people for the conservation and management of the environment through reclamation of the exploited land. The lignite is used as a fuel for Neyveli Power Stations, which is basically a low grade coal found in abundance in that area.
In the lignite mines located nearby, the overburden to lignite ratio is more than five times and the lignite stratum exists almost 40 to 45 meters below the earth crust leading to more wastages. Notwithstanding these constraints, they appear to tirelessly working and reclaiming the exploited mine land by continuous filling and developing the land for the agriculture, plantation, water reservoir and creating ecological conditions and habitat suitable for the plant and animal life. Over the years, about six hectare land has been restored through this process.
1. A bird’s eye view of the power plant and reclaimed land
2. Illustration showing use of reclaimed land for agriculture, plantation and other usage
3. A healthy coconut tree on the reclaimed land
4. Tree plantation mainly teak by distinguished visitors at Neyveli from time to time
5. A teak tree sapling kept readied for plantation by this author during his visit
6. A few years back, a pair of spotted deer were brought at the reclaimed land. There are now 139 deer which, as can be seen, appear healthier than many that I have seen in certain national parks and other natural habitat. As such breeding in captivity is often so difficult; a task so successfully achieved by Neyveli Corporation.
7. Spotted deer in their spacious enclosure being fed by visitors.
8. An artificial lake developed on the reclaimed land being used for the recreational purposes including boating and sailing. The lake also attracts many water birds from the surrounding area. One white duck is visible right behind the boat; there are hundreds of such ducks and other water birds around.
9. A closer view of the lake; Executive Directors and other senior officers are accompanying the author in the mechanized boat.
Images (c) jaipalsingh
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