Biodiversity
The importance of biodiversity for the JSW group cannot be overstated. Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms, their genetic diversity, and the ecosystems they inhabit. It plays a critical role in maintaining the balance and functioning of our planet's ecosystems. While our businesses may seem unrelated to biodiversity at first glance, there are several key reasons why we prioritize and promote biodiversity conservation:
- Raw Material Dependency
- Ecosystem Services
- Sustainable Practices and Reputation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Innovation and Collaboration
In summary, JSW Group relies on biodiversity in various ways, from the availability of raw materials to the provision of ecosystem services. Prioritizing biodiversity conservation not only contributes to the sustainable supply of resources but also enhances the industry's reputation, ensures regulatory compliance, stimulates innovation, and fosters resilience.
We recognize the importance of biodiversity and we have taken ambitious target to achieve “No Net Loss (NLL)” by 2030. Considering we have only 7 more years to achieve this target, we have taken a holistic approach to act swiftly and decisively to make significant, measurable and verifiable results. We are committed to ensuring no net deforestation due to our own operations, and our commitment is endorsed by our executive management.
SDG Mapping of JSW Steel’s Initiatives & Projects
SDG 15: Life on Land
- JSW has taken up various biodiversity conservation studies in and around its area of operation to come up with its biodiversity management plan. Biodiversity Assessment at Vijaynagar Works
- At Vijayanagar, extensive biodiversity mapping has been undertaken by experts from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and PFE, thereby identifying 216 IUCN’s Red List species.
- 441 plant species belonging to 100 families were recorded in flora.
- In fauna, 69 insect species belonging to six orders, four amphibians and 20 reptile species, 154 bird species of 51 families, 18 mammal species and 46 fish species belonging to 16 families were observed.
- Three vulnerable and one endangered species were found among plants. insects, and amphibians.
- Painted Spurfowl and Malabar Lark are two endemic birds to the region.
- Star Tortoise among reptiles and Sloth bear among mammals are protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- JSW Steel participated in Bird Count of India.
- The Million Tree Plantation Project has been initiated in nearby degraded forest areas at Dolvi and Karav with a vision to achieve 1 million tree plantations, in collaboration with the forest department. In the year 2018, 26,555 trees were planted, taking the total number to 2,01,539. In Dolvi, the Company has planted a large number of saplings in the plant premises and has undertaken focused efforts to develop a green belt by maintaining the full-fledged nursery. During FY19, a total number of big trees and shrubs/small trees is over 2 lakhs and 5 lakhs respectively.
- The Company is promoting ex-situ conservation of native red-listed plant species within the JSW Complex.
- The Company undertook joint forest management initiatives with the State Forest Department for greenery development outside its premises, with special emphasis on biodiversity.
- The Company was among the pioneers to sign up and commit to the Indian Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI), an initiative by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. In compliance with India Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI) declaration, JSW has mapped the biodiversity interfaces with business operations designated as biodiversity champion and has implemented schemes for enhancing awareness on biodiversity within the organisation.
- Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) experts visit regularly for awareness creation among employees and school children.
- JSW has also signed two MOUs with BNHS, Mumbai, and People For Environment (“PFE”), New Delhi for biodiversity assessment in JSW Steel Complex. Four season studies within 5 km by PFE and two season studies in 10Km outside JSW Steel Complex by BNHS are complete and reports have been duly published. And post that, recommendations of these studies are being implemented.
At Vijayanagar Works:
- Tree plantation for improving overall biodiversity index - planted 17.76 lakh trees till March 2022 in 2,250 acre area
- Developed greenery in degraded forests - improved overall biodiversity across 432 acres
- Conducted study to determine the impact on flora and fauna of core area and assess the carbon sequestration potential - gained understanding on how to improve biodiversity in an area
At Dolvi Works:
- Plantation of mangroves under CSR activity; around 3.5 lakh mangroves planted in 70 Ha: Mangrove development will stabilise the coastline by reducing soil erosion caused by surges, waves and tides, reduce saline ingression and prevent flooding; mangroves also provide shelter to a range of wildlife species including birds and benefit the local community
- Repairing of Kharbund in nearby villages - resulting in reduced ingression of salty water into agricultural land, which shall also benefit the local community
JSW Miyawaki Park inaugurated at Tarapur:
Tarapur MIDC is an industrial area situated near Mumbai. Over the years, the area’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has become an increasing cause of concern. In order to tackle this challenge, JSW Steel Coated Products along with JSW Foundation has taken steps to establish an Urban Forest and biodiversity park in the area through the Miyawaki plantation method and have named it the JSW Miyawaki Park. Today, the park has become a dense urban forest within 14 months of inception with the plantation consisting of 8,500 saplings of more than 45 indigenous varieties.
Biodiversity Initiatives at Odisha:
SDG 14: Life below Water
- The Company engaged in research and promotion of constructed wetlands for Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, leading to increased avian and aquatic biodiversity.
- JSW has taken up various water biodiversity conservation initiatives and one of the highly appreciated projects is the ‘Mangrove Conservation Project’ in Dolvi. It was also highlighted as a case study in IBBI India Business & Biodiversity Initiative publication 2019.
- Mangrove Conservation Project
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15.5 lakh saplings planted over the years (~ 3.5 lakh saplings planted in FY 2021-22).
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310 Hectares of cumulative area restored over the years (~ 70 Hectares restored in FY 2021-22).
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The initiative of JSW supports India's National Biodiversity Action Plan 2014.
Biodiversity Risk Assessment
We have 16 sites under JSW Steel Ltd - including mines. In this year, we have finished risk assessment of all sites and developed group level biodiversity action plan. 2 sites have been found to have high exposure to biodiversity related risks, and we have already developed Biodiversity Management Plans for these 2 sites. Our key manufacturing operations have also already conducted 3 season detail study in the recent past. We are now working on KPIs to measure our target to achieve No Net Loss of Biodiversity. The appended diagram shows our approach -
The risk assessment was conducted based the datasets provided by each site in the form of biodiversity Mapping (indicators developed by CII and shared with sites in excel format), documents provided such as EIA reports, site specific past biodiversity study reports, and secondary data sources. These documents were reviewed and assessed for developing impacts and dependencies matrix. Additionally, following aspects were taken into consideration while doing the risk assessment:
- Mapping operations located within 10 km radius of protected areas, migratory routes, and Ramsar Wetlands sites. Tools like DOPA, e-bird India and Wildlife Protected areas were used.
- JSW Biodiversity Policy and IUCN No Net Loss (NNL) guidance documents and CBD guidance documents i.e., CBD Technical series will be referred for the assessment
- IBBI Ecosystem Services Matrix tool (ESM) was used for ecosystem mapping, risk identification for each ecosystem and ecosystem services and measuring the effectiveness of existing management plans. The site-specific risk (impacts and dependencies) was developed as per JSW Biodiversity Technical Standard
- Mapping the present biodiversity management plan at different operations developed as per Environmental Clearance requirement and meeting commitments to IBBI 10-point declaration
- Mapping operations based on International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 6 (IFC PS6), UN CBD’s Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework targets for 2030 and 2050 goals, DJSI and TNFD Framework
- Consultation with JSW Steel team to was undertaken to take inputs on gap assessment studies and data requirements to finalize the risk areas and map existing management measures
Following key risks that have been identified:
- Transition Risks:
- Reputation Risk: Changes in sentiment towards organisation and its brand value due to impact on RET Species
- Regulatory Risk: Any impact on protected biodiversity would trigger Wildlife Protection Act
- Market Risk: Shifting customer/investor preferences to products that have positive impacts on nature/ mitigate negative impacts on nature
- Physical Risks:
- Changes in protection from natural hazard such as cyclone due to change in hazard mitigation services
- Changes in regulating and maintenance ecosystem services such as noise and light pollution, pollination, carbon sequestration
- Changes in the state of surface water ecosystem
To mitigate these risks and progress towards achieving our target of No Net Loss (NLL), we are adopting the following biodiversity risk mitigation hierarchy:
We shall consider ecological drivers, regulatory drivers, economic drivers and reputational drivers while applying above mitigation hierarchy to determine our action/intervention to manage biodiversity risks.
We have enlisted various activities/interventions along with their linkage with mitigation hierarchy which can be considered to reduce biodiversity risks during the different phases of the overall lifecycle of a manufacturing/mining location.
Activities Related to Avoidance and Minimisation:
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Planning Phase |
Construction Phase |
Operation Phase |
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Avoidance of operations near protected areas, CRZ and Eco-sensitive zone of protected areas as per India’s protected areas, IUCN protected areas categories I-IV, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and wetlands on the Ramsar Wetlands |
Avoidance through scheduling involves changing the timing of construction activities to avoid disturbing species during sensitive periods of their lifecycle. |
Manual and machine removal of grasses and weed from the greenbelt areas. Removal of weeds and grasses after the flowering and seeding season is over (Monsoon and start of winter). Avoidance of weed and grass removal during nesting season of birds and wildlife (June to September). |
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Avoid acquiring Forest land and areas having high tree covers |
Minimizing tree cutting during construction phase along with protecting native tress species in the acquired areas as per baseline assessment |
Taking measures to reduce mortality to birds and bats by Windmill rotor blades |
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Minimization of land use change for the project through planning infrastructure |
Avoidance or minimization of ground water extraction and surface water use during construction phase |
Avoid sourcing of water from high conservation wetlands and rivers having high biodiversity areas |
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Integrating natural drainage system in the project design and avoidance of these areas during project planning phase. |
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Awareness creation of employees and workers for avoidance of snakes and birds nesting during management. |
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Avoidance of migratory path areas of birds, wildlife and natural wetlands for land acquisition. |
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Avoidance or Minimization of extraction of ground water. |
Activities Related to Rehabilitation and Restoration:
Following are the actions that shall be implemented for restoration/rehabilitation of biodiversity or ecosystem services on which avoidance measures are not available and minimization measures are not possible.
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Construction Phase |
Operation Phase |
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Developing water harvesting structures to balance water requirement in construction phase |
Developing landscape level interventions within project boundary to conserve water and regular maintenance of drainage system |
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Plantation of native tree in high noise and dust areas as a barrier |
Restoration of natural ecosystems within project boundaries |
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Separately retaining and storing topsoil and sub-soil stripped from the construction areas for later use during reinstatement |
Plantation of native trees species. Using indigenous and non-invasive species for landscaping and rehabilitation works. Using soil, mulch and vegetation debris (that contain natural seed stock) to facilitate natural revegetation of disturbed areas, where reasonably practicable. |
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Developing Fireline to reduce fire incident during the dry sessions |
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Restoration of wetlands based on Ramsar Wetland convention - Principles and guidelines for wetland restoration to manage the Water requirements |
Activities Related to Offsetting:
Following activities can be considered while offsetting the impact.
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Operation Phase |
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Undertake afforestation activity in the nearby areas of project to restore natural forest, control of invasive species and addressing drives of biodiversity loss. |
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Support local Forest office for protecting Rare, Endangered, Endemic and Threated Wildlife considering the criticality of the project and impacts on the specific species. |
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Restoration of wetlands based on Ramsar Wetland convention - Principles and guidelines for wetland restoration in proximity of the projects and sourcing location of water. |
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Invest in implementation of Ecosystem-based solution over technological solution for addressing biodiversity impacts (Ex. sewage water treatment for villages to reduce pollution load in natural wetlands and rivers) |
Biodiversity Conservation – A tool for community development
The JSW Foundation, CSR arm of JSW Group, is steadfast to work towards mitigating adverse effects of climate change by bringing in innovative technology-based solutions to ensure clean villages, conserving and augmenting water, promoting biodiversity, sanitary living conditions & sustainable livelihoods.
Nature Interpretation Centre
For promoting biodiversity JSW has built a state-of-the-art Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) at the Daroji Bear Sanctuary, situated close to our Vijayanagar plant in Karnataka. Daroji is Asia’s largest and India’s only natural habitat for Sloth Bears, created exclusively for its preservation. Today, it is home to 120 bears, along with leopards, hyenas, and several other animals. Nearly 90 species of birds and 27 species of butterflies have also been identified here.
The Natura Interpretation Centre, launched in association with the Forest Department of the Govt. of Karnataka, shines the spotlight on the stunning biodiversity in the region. With special focus on the Sloth Bear, it also supports its preservation in the country immensely.
The Centre at the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is a one-of-its-kind joint effort by JSW and the Govt. of Karnataka, to protect the surrounding flora and fauna. We look forward to playing our part in making it the 'Nalanda University' of wildlife.
by Dr. Srinivas Kedar, Chief - CSR,JSW Foundation
JSW Foundation
JSW Foundation is the social development arm of JSW group governed by the ideology that every life is important and must be given fair opportunities to make the best out of it. The foundation takes conscious steps to support and empower communities, primarily located around its plants. The JSW Foundation has a footprint across 11 states and 15 districts, reaching out to 1 million individuals in the villages located around the manufacturing locations. The following are the key areas in which JSW Foundation works,
- Skill Enhancement
- Sports
- Health & Nutrition
- Agriculture
- Water, Sanitation & Environment
- Education & Learning
- Art, Culture & Heritage
- Rural BPO
More details on the projects and initiatives of JSW Foundation can be found at here.
Source information:IBBI publication
