Tata Steel on Thursday inaugurated a new rain water harvesting pond followed by ground breaking of the rejuvenation of existing water bodies at the sprawling CRM Bara complex in Sidhgora area of steel city in an attempt to improve biological diversity.

The inauguration of the project took place on a historic day as Tata Steel on Thursday completed 114 years of journey.

It was on August 26, 1907, that Tata Steel was founded as it got its registration in India.

The inaugural function of the project was graced by Chanakya Chaudhary, vice- president, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, Sudhansu Pathak, vice- president , (Steel Manufacturing) and several other senior officials of the company and Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited ( formerly Jusco ).

Addressing the function Chaudhary said, “We are committed to the conservation, enhancement and restoration of biodiversity in all our areas of operation. The rejuvenation project reaffirms our strategic commitment to improve water sustainability and biodiversity of the region.”

Sharing his views on the project, Sudhansu Pathak said, “As part of our eco-friendly initiative and our commitment to long term water sustainability, it was envisaged to rejuvenate a dying water body and restore the same. Accordingly, the ancient water bodies have once again been restored to its pristine glory, thereby enhancing the local biodiversity.”

The CRM Bara rejuvenation project that was completed in 2020-21 resulted in the creation of a larger rainwater harvesting facility, improvement in water table of the local area and increase in biological diversity.

The total water storage capacity with the inauguration of the new rain water harvesting pond now becomes 95000 cubic meters.

So far, around 20-acres of existing water bodies have been developed into rain water harvesting ponds and green belts.

The proposal is to rejuvenate another 15-acres of existing water bodies into new rain water harvesting ponds at the CRM Bara complex.

Significantly, Tata Steel is the first corporate in India to launch its Biodiversity Policy in 2016.

The policy provides guidelines for including biodiversity in every strategic and operational decision making.