Conserving Natural Capital
Chambal is committed to balance the goal of creating sustainable wealth with the aim of enriching the environment. Accordingly, it has taken various initiatives and implemented environment protection programmes such as ground water re-charging through rainwater harvesting, energy conservation and co-generation, pollution control, green energy use and waste re-cycling.
Chambal's Integrated Environment Management System conforms to the highest international environment related benchmarks: ISO-14001:2004 (Environment Management System Standard) and ISO-9001-2008 (Quality Management System Standard). Details of its efforts in improving environment are briefly given below:
The area surrounding its Gadepan complex in Rajasthan (India) is experiencing a positive change in ecology due the 'Operation Green' programme of the Company. Of the 1060 acres of its entire plant area, around 525 acres have been developed as a naturally growing forest, a green belt and beautiful gardens. A colourful variety of plants have been selected, keeping in mind, the climatic and soil conditions. Fruit trees and those with broad leaves have been specially planted, to attract birds.
Chambal is one of the few companies to back the cause of wildlife protection. It has set-up a fund in collaboration with Hadoti Naturalists Society and the Forest Department, Government of Rajasthan to conserve wildlife and preserve the habitat of endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard, Black Buck, and Chinkara at Sorsan Preserve in Baran district close to its manufacturing facility in Rajasthan.
At Gadepan, around 500 peacocks and hundreds of other species of birds (including endangered and migratory birds), monkeys and many non-predatory animals make their home in the Chambal Greens. In addition, huge numbers of fish and aquatic birds populate the water bodies in the campus.
Fertiliser industry is one of the energy intensive sectors. Manufacturing of urea involves substantial usage of energy. The industry consumes fossil energy sources such as natural gas, naphtha etc; not only as fuel but also as feedstock. Natural gas being the cleanest of fossil fuel is preferred over naphtha.
Chambal's commitment to sustainable development helps it carry out technological and operational advancements to reduce its energy consumption, utilize waste heat, strive for renewable energy options and use energy efficient products, wherever possible. The Company has always been conscious of its energy use and has been proactive in installing energy efficient technologies. It installed KRES in 2009 and carried out revamping of plants in 2008-10. Chambal's plants have a record of being highly energy efficient, per tonne of urea produced. Of the 200 MW of power consumed, only 18 MW is electric power. The rest is steam, which is generated within the manufacturing process itself, by recycling waste heat. A plant using less energy is automatically less polluting.
Water and natural gas are the two key natural resources used for production of urea. From the beginning, water has been precious for Chambal since its fertiliser plants are located in a water-scarce state. To overcome this challenge, the Company has been working tirelessly to reduce its water Consumption per MT of urea as well as implementing rainwater harvesting. Chambal is also committed not to use ground water for our operations. Treated waste water is being used in maintaining the green belt through a 65 kilometer long irrigation network spread all over the Gadepan complex, which, in turn, helps in saving fresh water. The Company has constructed two check-dams (Anicuts) on nearby Kalisindh and Parwan, for rainwater harvesting. As a result of its continuous efforts, the Company's two units at Gadepan are amongst the lowest water consuming plants in the industry.
Chambal is managing and operating well-designed programmes/treatment facilities to control pollution. The Company continues to follow the 3R concept – Reduce, Re-use and Recycle the effluents being generated. An overwhelming percentage of water used in the process is recycled water. Treated waste water is used in maintaining green belt. The Company has adopted best methods to manage solid/ hazardous waste disposal after proper categorization. Separate bins are provided for collection of various categories of waste. Horticulture waste is converted into manure. Use of polythene bags is banned at the plant site.