iucn trip report to acc gagal
TRANSCRIPT
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TripReporttoACCGagalCementWorks,Himachal
Pradesh
June2227,2009
Introduction
InDecember2008,ACCLimitedapproachedtheIUCNIndiacountryofficetoseek itsassistanceon
strengthening biodiversity values at its plant at Gagal in the northern Indian state of Himachal
Pradesh.(GagalisoneamongACCs14plantsitesacrossIndia.)
Following discussions with the Managing Director ofACC and other senior management staff at
Mumbai in March 2009 and considering the potential engagement of the private sector in
biodiversity conservation, IUCN India decided to undertake a scoping visit along with a team of
experts drawn from IUCNs member organisations in India. A visit to the plant at Gagal was
undertakenfromJune2227,2009.
Theoverall aim of this visitwas to assess anddefine the scopeofwork in termsof biodiversity
conservationthatcouldbeundertakeninthearea.Thekeyobjectiveswere:
OverviewofACCsoperations Discussionswithkeystakeholders AssessmentofthebiodiversityrelatedactivitiesoftheGagalplant Assessmentofthesocio economicvariablesinthearea DefiningthescopeofworkthatcouldbeundertakenbyIUCN
Missioncomposition
Themission
comprised:
Dr.K.Ramesh,WildlifeInstituteofIndia(IUCNMemberorganisation) UshaSrinivasan,DevelopmentAlternatives(IUCNMemberorganisation) VijayChaturvedi,DevelopmentAlternatives MayukhHajra,DevelopmentAlternatives ShiraneeYasaratne,BusinessBiodiversityProgramme,IUCNAsiaRegionalOffice,Bangkok BirenBhuta,IUCNIndiaOffice AditiMehandiratta,IUCNIndiaOffice.
Itineraryandconsultations
Beforeundertaking the scopingmission, apreparatorymeeting forplanning and strategizing the
missionwasorganizedattheIUCNIndiaOffice,NewDelhionJune16,2009.Themeetingfacilitated
interactionbetweentherepresentativesfromACCandtheIUCNteamforthescopingmission,giving
theteamanopportunitytohaveapreliminaryideaaboutthearea.Basedonthis,atentativeaction
planwasdeveloped for themission.The teamvisited theplant,mines, townshipand thenearby
villages,interactedwithACCofficialsandlocalcommunitiesaswellascollectedsecondarydatasuch
as area maps, plant maps, mining schemes, social survey reports, EIA report, plantation plans,
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photographs,etc.The laterpartofthevisitwasdedicatedto interactionwithgovernmentofficials
liketheDistrictCollectorandForestOfficer(DFO)andoverallcompilationoftheobservationsand
furtherplansofaction.ThedetaileditineraryofthevisitisgiveninAnnexureI.
ACCGagalPlantAnIntroduction
Commissionedon
12
th
March
1984,
Gagal
Cement
Works
(GCW)
is
part
of
Indias
largest
cement
company, ACC Ltd. It is located near Barmana in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, on the
NationalHighwayNH21,connectingAmbalaandManali.Installedwithacapacityof5.6Lakhtonnes
ofcementperannum,ithasmodernizedandexpandedtoatotalcapacityof4.64milliontonnesof
cementperannum.GCWisamarketleaderinthenorthernregionandmaintainsitsmarketsharein
allstrategicmarkets.
ACCsGagalCementWorks:NestledamidstthehillsACCLtd
Located intheeco sensitivezoneoftheHimalayas,thecompanyhasbeenpro active inworking
towardsenvironmentalconservation andpollutioncontrol. Ithas reportedlyplantedmore than1
million trees over a period of 12 years, in and around the factory premises. As part of the
environmentmanagementsystem,GCWhasbeenregularly investing intechnologicalupgradation
to
achieve
both
economic
and
environmental
efficiency.
Mines
ThetotalminingareawithGCWis231.25hectarescomprisingBarmanaHillandGagalHill.Ofthis,
52hectaresistheactiveminingareaandformspartoftheGagalHill.Fromaninitialheightof947m,
thehillhasbeenmineddownto650mandthecompanyplanstominedownfurtherupto500m.It
is expected that this level would be reached over the next 25 years, after which, further
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reconnaissancewouldbecarriedouttoassessmorepotentialforextraction.Ifnotfoundviable,the
companyplanstousethecratercreatedpostminingforharvestingofwater.
Inspectingthemines.(ltor)AditiMehandiratta,DrKRamesh,VijayChaturvediACCLtd
TheGagalminehas abelt lengthof1.5km. Limestone isblastedbyusing abenchingprocess i.e
dividingthehill intobenches.Blasting iscarriedout34days inaweekandusuallybetween1pm
and3pm.About20000tonnesareminedineachblast.
In2001,ACCadoptedtheNonelectricBottomInitiationDetonatortechniqueovertheconventional
detonating fusetechnology forblasting.Moresophisticateddetonatorsareusedtoday inorderto
minimize the impact of the blast on the surrounding areas. The vibrations and noise levels are
measuredattheclosestmonitoringstationi.e.attheminingoffice.AccordingtoACC,thevibration
limitsarewellwithinprescribedlimits.
TheIUCNteamhadachancetowitnessoneblast.Thevibrationsandnoisegeneratedweremuffled
and the dust emissions appeared to be minimal and localised. The team was informed that the
throwoftheblastedmaterialisabout20mto30m.
Thevillagessurroundingtheminesareatadistanceofmorethan500mfromtheblastingsite. In
laterinteractionswithlocalcommunities,theteamwasinformedthatseveralhouseshaddeveloped
cracks.Theyattributedthesetothevibrationscausedduetotheblasting.ACCofficialsmaintainthat
thecracks, ifany,aredueto faultyconstructionsand that,thecompanyhasconductedstudies in
thepasttodemonstratetovillagersthatthereareminimalvibrationstocausecracks.However,the
perceptionspersist.Theteambelievesthatthecompanyshouldtrytodispeltheseperceptionsand
alsodemonstratesoundtechniquesforconstructinghouses.
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At present, the Barmana Hill is inactive and not operational. The companys efforts towards
reclamation by extensive heterogeneous plantations, are highly commendable. Protection of the
areahasalsoassistedthenaturalregenerationprocess.However,theteamwasinformedthatthere
isapossibilitythatinfuture,thishillmightbeexploredforanyfurtherdepositsoflimestone.
Alandscapeinthequarry:ApproachroadtotheminesACCLtd
CementPlant
GCWcomprisestwounits:GagalIandGagalII.ACChas investedcontinuouslyandconsiderablyto
upgradetheplantinfrastructureaswellascementmanufacturingtechniquestoincreaseeconomic
aswellasenvironmentalefficiency.
To reduce sourceemissions, the companyhas installed11bag houses,85bag filters and2 ESPs
(ElectroStatic Processors). These have resulted in drastic reduction in the stack emission levels,
which are now maintained at less than 20 ppm. In fact, not only do the bag houses filter the
emissions,theyalsofeeditbacktothemanufacturingprocess.Thisnotonlyreducesemissions,but
alsomakesgreateconomicsense.
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BagHouses:Reducing&ReusingACCLtd
TheplanthasinstalledamonitoringstationtoconstantlymonitorSOx,NOxandSPMlevels.
Fugitiveemissionsareabiggercauseforconcern.ACChasputinplacedustsuppressionsystemslike
water sprinklers to tackle these emissions, whether on the conveyor which carries the quarried
limestonefromtheminestotheplant,orattheenclosedstockyardswhichstorecoal,gypsumand
flyash.However,currentefforts tocurb fugitiveemissionsmightneedaugmentationand further
improvements.
CoveredConveyors,butemissionsfugitiveACCLtd
Thepackingareaalsoposesachallenge intermsoffugitiveemissions.Everytime,acementbag is
transferred,beitalongtheconveyororfromtheconveyorontothetruck,thereissomeamountof
leakage. ACC management could explore and seriously pursue options like using paper bags or
despatchingcementinbulkquantities.(TheenclosedbunkersthatareusedtobringflyashtoGagal
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plantgobackempty.Thesecouldbeusedtodespatchbulkcement.)GCW istryingoutpackaging
usinglaminatedbags.
Thecompanysgreeningeffortsevenwithin theplantpremiseshaveensuredacleaner, relatively
dustfreeenvironment.
AlternateFuels
&
Raw
Materials
(AFR)
TheconceptofAFR,thoughpractisedbyHolcimforthelastthreedecades,isarecentintroduction
to ACC. It involves substituting mainstream non renewable fuel resources like coal with
replenishablealternatefuels.AsubsidiaryactivityofAFRiswastecoprocessingwhichisbasicallya
meansofwastemanagement.
UnderthemainstreamAFRactivities,currentlytheGagalplantisusingmillscale(arejectfromsteel
rollingmills)asasubstituteforironore.Itisalsoassessingthefeasibilityofharnessingthepotential
of pineneedles as an alternative fuel.However,despite thehigh calorific valueof pineneedles,
thereareseverallimitingfactorsforitsuse.Collectionofpineneedlesfromtheforestfloorisoneof
the
major
issues
of
concern.
Also,
due
to
the
voluminous
nature
of
the
needles,
the
cost
of
transportation increases. The pine needles are extremely inflammable, hence a safety issue.
Processingthepineneedlesforuseasasourceoffuelforthekilnswouldaddfurthertothecost.
PineNeedles:AnAlternativeFuel?IUCN
TheAFRdivision isexploringotheroptionsforalternative fuelssuchasricehusk,jatropha,castor,
etc.Therehavebeennosignificantbreakthroughsasyet.
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Waste coprocessing, however, provides a wonderful business opportunity for GCW. The AFR
division at Gagal spent its first few years in selfeducation on waste coprocessing and then
educatingandmakingthestateGovernment,MoEFandotherstakeholdersawareofthepotential
ofcementplantsinwastecoprocessing.Italsoinventorizedthetypeofwastethatcouldbedirectly
usedinthekilnwithoutimpactingontheclinkerqualityorenvironmentalemissions.
Theplant
follows
strictly
all
national
norms
for
handling
waste
that
is
delivered
for
co
processing.
Coprocessing isa servicewhichACC extends to companies generatingwaste.Atpresent,10 15
tonnes of waste is coprocessed daily. The transportation of the waste to the plant is the
responsibilityof thewastegenerator.Onentry, thewaste ischeckedphysically;aspotanalysis is
undertaken,andifitisfoundtobeofasuitable,previouslyagreeduponnature,thenitisletinthe
plantcampusandissentforcoprocessing.
Theteamwas informedthatcurrently,ACCGagalhasagreementswithHindustanUnileverLimited
(HUL)andtheKulluMunicipalitytocoprocesstheirwaste.InthecaseofHUL,ACCcoprocessesall
traderejectsandexpiredproductsfromHULsdepotatParwanoo,located140kmsaway.TheKullu
Municipalitysendsitssortedmunicipalwastes,especiallyplastics,totheACCplant.
Thewastegeneratedintheplantitself,whichincludespaperwastesandwasteoilyragsandcloths,
isalsocoprocessed.However,sincethehouseholdwastegenerated inthetownshipaswellas in
the surroundingvillages isnot segregated, it isnotyetused forco processing.This is something
which theACCmanagementmightwant to seriouslyconsider,as itwillalsohelp in reducing the
monkeymenace,whichtownshipresidentsandlocalcommunitieskeepcomplainingabout.Besides,
giventheavailableopportunity forwastecoprocessing,an integratedwastemanagementsystem
fortheentiretownshipwouldgoalongwayindevelopingitasamodeltownship.
Township
Acrossthe
plant,
ACC
has
developed
awell
planned
township
with
extensive
plantations
and
measures likewaterharvestingdemonstrationstructures,vermicompostingpits,useofrootzone
technologyforeffluenttreatment(thetreatedwateristhenusedinplantationactivities)andaplant
nursery.
RootZoneTechnology:Recyclingwater....Naturally.IUCN
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All theseplantationshavebeen theprimary responsibilityof theplanthorticulturist,V.D.Thakur.
Accordingtohim,nativespecieshavebeenselectedforplantation,exceptincertaincases,wherea
fastgrowingspecieslikeEucalyptushasbeenpreferred.
EucalyptusPatch:Outofplace?DevelopmentAlternatives
Asaresultofthisgreeningeffortandalsoduetohabitatdiversity,theoverallbiodiversityvalueof
the area seems to show a positive trend. During the short stay of six days, as part of a casual
observation, the IUCN team recorded around 30 species of birds, including Black Francolin
(partridge)andafewmammalspecies.
BiodiversityatGagalWildlifeInstituteofIndia
Apart from improving the biodiversity, these efforts have also provided fringe benefits to the
surrounding areas in terms of a clean, green environment and to the local villagers in terms of
providingfuelwood.Despite75%ofthemhavingLPGconnections,theystillopt forfuelwood for
cookingpurposes,bothduetocostconsiderationsasalsoduetothefreeavailabilityoffarmwastes
whichanywayneedstobemanaged.
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Althougheffortstodatehavebeencommendable,theplantauthoritiesadmittothefactthattheir
understanding on biodiversity is limited and therein lies great scope for understanding and
enhancingthebiodiversityvalueofthearea.
InteractionswithLocalCommunities
Thereare
8villages
which
lie
in
close
vicinity
of
the
plant
as
well
as
the
mines.
The
residents
of
these
villages seem to enjoy sufficient incomes, as evidenced from their dwellings. Most have land
holdingsrangingfrom0.5to5acres.Agriculture(mainlymaizeandsugarcanecultivation)isstillthe
primary occupation, though many have ventured into businesses like floriculture or commercial
transportation.TheyouthmostlyaspireforGovernmentjobs.
Thevillagecommunitiesapparentlyenjoyadecentstandardoflivingwithouthavingtocompromise
onbasicneeds.Thisprovidesthethresholdonwhichsecondary level interventionscanbebuiltto
demonstratemodel initiatives for sustainable communitydevelopment andhigher levelof socio
economicsecurity.
GroundRealities:InteractionwithLocalCommunitiesWildlifeInstituteofIndia
TheIUCNteamhadachancetovisitafewvillageslikeKunanoo,Baloh,Dhaun,Kothi,Barmanaand
Baterand interactwith localcommunities.Byand large,thecommunitieswerequiteappreciative
andsupportiveofthevariousinterventionsthatthecompanyhasmadeinthevillages.Thereseems
tobeanetpositive impactdue toACCspresence in the region.Access tohealthandeducation
facilitieshas improved.Theeducation levelshavegoneupwithnearlyalltheyouthstudyingupto
Class X. Village roads have been constructed, which has catalysed development. Avenues for
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employment have opened up. A case in point is the trucking industry which has had a huge
multipliereffect.
However, communities seem to have certain misgivings regarding the company. While ACC has
provided drinking water to 4 villages, the company water supply has not reached some villages
whichstillfaceshortages.Thereareconcernsthattheblastingintheminesmaybecausingcracksin
theirhouses.
Company
officials
maintain
that
studies
in
the
past
have
clearly
shown
that
these
fears
areunfounded.
There isageneralsenseofappreciationforthegreeningeffortsbythecompanyandthesalutary
effect that these have had on the environment. However, there have been some unexpected
consequences.Whilstearlier the landscapewasdry anddenuded,withno forests and very little
wildlife;now,wildboars,deerandmonkeyshavebeenobserved,whicharealsoproving tobea
menace,bothforagricultureaswellasforlocalcommunities,especiallywomenandchildren.There
hasbeenamarkedincreaseinthenumberofmananimalconflictsinthearea.Thishasbecomean
important and serious issue but we believe that it can be resolved with more planning and
understanding. In this context, a need has been felt for awareness generation amongst the
communityon
biodiversity
benefits
in
terms
of
ecosystem
services
as
well
as
the
unique
livelihood
opportunities it provides. This would not only promote the adoption of bioresources based
sustainable livelihoodsbutalsohelp inpartneringwiththecommunitiesasalliesforthesuccessof
theenvironmentconservationeffortsinitiatedbyACC.
TheACCAHEADprogrammehasbeen initiatedacrossACCplants in Indiaby thewomensgroup
comprisingthewivesofofficialspostedattheplants.AtGagal,ACCAheadhasbeeninstrumentalin
formingaruralwomensgroupformakingvariousspicemixesandhandicraftsandretailingthrough
thecooperativestorescatering to the township.Currently, thegroupconsistsofonly4members
andtheenterprise isfairlysuccessful,owing innosmallmeasuretothereadilyavailabletownship
clientele.However,thegroupisyettoprogresstoselfhelpmode,asthewomenareinvolvedonlyin
theskilledlabourandnotinthefinancialmanagementormarketing(whichisbeingsteeredbythe
cooperativestoreowner).
Whilethereisahugepotentialtoscaleuptheformationofselfhelpgroups,itwillbeimportantto
simultaneously build their entrepreneurial skills to facilitate the long term sustainability of the
enterprises. Such interventionsareessentialtopromote financial independenceofthewomen in
theareaandwouldalsohavepositivespinoffsintermsofwomenbeingempoweredtovoicetheir
concernsandtakeactionforcommunitydevelopment.
Trucks
TheIUCN
team
met
up
with
office
bearers
of
the
Bilaspur
District
Truck
Operators
Co
operative
TransportSociety.Withover4000trucks,itisAsiaslargesttruckersunion.
Althoughtruckingisaflourishingbusinessinthearea,therearetwomajorissuesrelatedtoit:
1. RiseinpollutionlevelsintheareabecauseoftruckmovementsThePresidentoftheUnionhimselfacceptedthat theemissions fromthetrucksaremuch
higherthantheemissionsfromtheplant.Thereare4000trucksenteringorexitingtheACC
plant every day. With another 3000 trucks plying for the Gujarat Ambuja Cement plant
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locatednearby, thenumbersarequitestaggering.Mostofthese truckshavebeenon the
roadforover15years.Whatwouldbeidealisifthesesingleaxle,9tonnetrucksrunningon
dieselarereplacedwithnew,multiaxle,15tonnetrucksrunningoncleanerfuel likeCNG.
However, voluntary conversionsmaynotbe forthcoming in the absenceof any stringent
legislationforthesame.
2. UnavailabilityofTruckDriversThiscurrentlyisamajorconcernfortheunion.Thoughthedemandfortrucksisincreasing,
however, there are not enough drivers available. The number of youth opting for this
professionisdecliningasitislookeddownuponbysocietyandevengirlsarenowhesitant
tomarrytruckdrivers.Again,replacing lowercapacitytruckswithhighercapacityoneswill
reducetherequirementoftrucksandhence,ofdrivers.
TheUnionsaysthat itwilleducatethetruckersbut it lookstowardsACCforhelp.One immediate
solutionwouldbe to starta truckdriving school thatwill encouragemorepeople topursue the
profession.
Interactionswithdistrictofficials
The IUCN team travelled to Bilaspur to meet Ms Nandita Gupta, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of
BilaspurdistructandMrPRana,DistrictForestOfficer(DFO)ofBilaspur.
TheteamhighlightedconcernsaboutthetruckstotheDC.Already,therearemorethan7000trucks
plyingeveryday. Intheabsenceofarailway lineandwithmorecementplantsbeingproposed in
neighbouringdistricts,thisproblemwillonlyexacerbate.Apartfromcausingpollution,thesetrucks
willalsoleadtocongestionalongthemainhighwayleadinguptothepopulartouristdestinationof
Manali.Thiscouldhaveseriousimplicationsontourismandrevenuestothestate.Theonlywayto
reducecongestionaswellaspollution is to replaceoldgeneration truckswithmodernones.The
DCsoffice couldplayamajor rolebypushing for relevant legislationorpolicy interventionsand
then,ensuring
strict
implementation.
TheteampointedouttotheDCthattheKulluMunicipalityhastakenaleadinsortingoutitswaste
and sending the sortedwastematerial to theACCplant for incinerating in thekilns.Bilaspurand
othertownscouldfollowsuit.
TheDCwasextremelyopenandreceptivetooursuggestionsandsowastheDFO,whentheteam
visitedhim.TheplannedbiodiversityassessmentsatGagalwereexplainedwith theadvantageof
servingasausefulbenchmarkforsimilarassessmentsinthedistrictandeveninthestate.TheDFO
expressedhisinterestandwillingnesstobepartoftheassessmentteam.
The
DFO
was
interested
in
the
prospects
of
collecting
and
using
pine
needles
as
a
subsidiary
fuel
sourcebyACC.Hepointedoutthat, if it isfoundtobetechnicallyandcommerciallyviable,then it
wouldbeawinwinwinsituationforallstakeholdersinvolved.TheForestDepartmentwouldhave
to deal with fewer forest fires and hence, lesser threat to wildlife. Local people would get
employmentand incomegenerationopportunitiesby collectingandprocessing thepineneedles.
ACCwould finda substitute forcoal, thereby reducing itscarbon footprint.TheDFOsaid thathis
officewouldextendallsupportandhelpforthisinitiative.
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Keyobservations
Aspartofthewrapupsessiononthelastday,theIUCNteamgaveapresentationtotheACCGagal
management.FollowingabriefbackgroundaboutIUCNanditsBusiness&BiodiversityProgramme,
examples of partnerships forged globally by IUCN and the private sector were highlighted. The
natureoftherelationshipbetweenIUCNandHolcimatthegloballevelandalsotheworkthatIUCN
doeswith
Holcim
in
various
countries
in
Asia,
like
Sri
Lanka,
Bangladesh
and
Vietnam
were
described.Theteamthenshared itsobservationsduringthecourseofthevisittoGagal,withthe
ACCmanagement:
TheACCManagementhasshownappreciableconcernfortheenvironment. The environmental parameters for the plant and the mines seem to be well within
prescribednationalnorms.
Thereisconsiderablebiodiversitywithinthesite,whichindicateshealthyhabitatdiversity. Thegreeningandreclamationeffortsarelaudable.Theyhaveassistednaturalregeneration. Certainspecieswithlessbiodiversityvaluehavebeenfavoured,maybeinresponsetoearly
compulsions,butcouldbereconsidered.
Recordswithregardtobiodiversityenhancementeffortscouldbe improvedforthebenefitofassessingimprovementsandtrends. Fugitivedustisanareaofconcernattheminingandplantsites. Waterscarcityandanimalmenacearetheprimeconcernsforthecommunity. CSReffortsneedtobemoreplannedandsystematicintermsofsystems,processes,people
andinterventions.
CSR so far has been following a welfare approach which now needs to follow a moresustainableapproach.Itshouldprogressfrombeingmereproviderstobecomingenablers.
IUCNsrole
Based on the above observations, IUCN proposed the following project ideas for comments,
suggestionsand
finally,
buy
in
by
the
ACC
officials:
A)BiodiversityAssessment
1.Assessment of Biodiversity: To catalogue/inventorise all possible biodiversity components, to
convertintoquantitativetermsforfeedingintoaBiodiversityScoreCard,tosuggestinterventionsto
improvebiodiversityvalueandtodevelopmonitoringprotocols.
2.CapacityBuilding:Toenhance thebiodiversity knowledge and technicalknowhow tomonitor
and manage the biodiversity. This would target people within the management and local
communities, andwould developmechanism forjoint activitiesbetween theACC staff and local
communities.
B)Others
3. Looking beyond Conventional Energy: To assess the technocommercial feasibility of locally
availablebiomass(e.g.pineneedles)andotherformsofwastes.
4.PartneringwithLocalCommunities:Tomobilise localcommunitiesandcreatereplicablemodels
ofselfemploymentandruralentrepreneurship.
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5.Managing the Trucks and Truckers: To reduce traffic congestion, reduce pollution levels and
offsettheperceivedthreatofnonavailabilityoftrainedworkforceinthefuture.
AlltheproposalswerereceivedfavourablybytheACCofficialspresentandunanimousagreement
wasreceivedforexpandingthesefurther.Subsequently,theACCtopmanagementrequestedIUCN
to develop the project ideas related to biodiversity assessment and capacity building, into full
proposalsand
submit
the
same
as
this
was
apriority
at
this
stage.
The
other
project
ideas
could
be
consideredsubsequently.
UponconsiderationofACC,aplannedimplementationscheduleoveranextendedperiodwouldbe
workedoutthroughaMoUforadministrativearrangements.
IUCNwouldundertaketheimplementationoftheprojectswiththeassistanceofitsmembersand
partnerswhohaveexpertiseintherespectivefieldsofwork.
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Acknowledgements
The IUCNMissionwould like to acknowledge the support,hospitality and openness ofACC staff
duringthisvisit.Wetrulyappreciatethetimethattheyspentwithus,thevisitsandmeetingsthat
theyfacilitatedandtheiruncomplaining,smilingdemeanourinthefaceofourunendingqueriesand
demands.Inparticular,wewouldliketomention:
MrSanjeevKapur,ChiefManagerEnergy&Environment
MrSandeepSharma,AssistantManagerEnergy&Environment
MrVDThakur,ManagerHorticulture
MrJagjitSingh,DeputyManagerHumanResources&EmployeeWelfare
MrSanjeevSoni,JointManagerMining
MrShivSharma,AssistantManaerAFR
DrPrasadBardoloi
MrDeepakDavid,HeadCSR,NorthIndia
MrPKSrivastava,HeadOperations
WewouldliketothankMrPKNanda,ChiefManagerMines,whovisitedfromMumbaitobewith
usthroughout
the
length
of
the
visit
and
for
sharing
his
insights
with
us.
VeryspecialthankstoMrAtulKhosla,DirectorGagalPlantforsharinghisvisionfortheplant;for
hisamazingcandourwhilearticulatingtheissuesandchallengesthatthecompanyfacesandforhis
extremelygracioushospitality.
ThisvisitwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthesupportofthetopmanagementteamofACCat
Mumbai. Inparticular,wewould like tothankMrSumitBanerjee,ManagingDirectorandMrRavi
Puranik,HeadCSR,fortheirinitiativeofinvitingusonthisScopingMission.
Lastbutnottheleast,wewouldliketoexpressoursinceregratitudetotheofficeandguesthouse
staffatGagal,whomadeusfeelwelcomeandcomfortableduringourvisit.
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Annexure1
ItineraryforScopingMission:
June22,2009: ArrivalatGagal
VisittoWater treatmentandRoot Zonetreatmentplants
Visitto
the
Colony
Club
and
Hospital
VisittoACCPlantandMiningArea
June23,2009: VisittoACCPlant
InteractionwiththeAFRteamandV.D.Thakur
VisittothevillagesandInteractionwithcommunities
June24,2009: Visittotheplantnurseryandvermicompost
InteractionwithSelfHelpGroups(SHGs)
VisittoMinestoseetheblasting
VisittoSchool
VisittothevillagesandInteractionwithcommunities
June25,2009: Meetingwiththetruckers
Internalteammeetingtoconsolidatetheobservationsandlistthecoreprojectideas
June26,2009: MeetingwithGagalWorkersUnion
MeetingwithPlantHead,Mr.AtulKhoslaandhisteam
MeetingwithWomenGroup(ACCAhead)
VisittotheACCworkshop
InteractionwithHouseholdsofmigrantlabour
MeetingDistrictCollector&DistrictForestOfficer
DinnerhostedatAtulKhoslasresidence
June27,
2009:
Wrap
up
meeting
IUCNteamdeparts