The ‘Navratn’ government of India company NLC India Limited has announced to invest around 17,000 crores for thermal power projects in Talabira II and III coal blocks of Odisha. Along with producing 20 million tonnes of coal per annum from the coal blocks to fuel its 4,200 MW of thermal power projects, the public undertaking company will also undertake an afforestation programme to develop theses blocks into model mine.
The state-owned NLC’s 3,200 MW Talabira Thermal Power Project in Odisha and NLC Tamil Nadu Power Limited’s 1,000 MW will ensure uninterrupted electricity to lakhs of households and commercial establishments with a huge green cover.
The iconic freedom fighter of the area Veer Surendra Sai’s birthplace will be developed as a tourist destination at Khinda in support of Odisha Tourism Department, Sambalpur.
The official NLC statement said that the drive is to plant and protect 25,86,700 trees inside and outside the mining lease area of Talabira II & III which is higher than what is prescribed by the relevant regulations for protecting and nurturing the environment of the mining area.
A total of Rs 134.36 crore has been deposited by NLC to Odisha Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) account for compensatory afforestation and maintenance for 10 years of catchment area treatment plan, wildlife management plans and gap plantation.
Underlining the need for maintaining the green ecosystem of the area, the company has been directed to plant local saplings such as sirisa, barakoli, ambada, mango, jackfruits and bamboo.
Under its afforestation programme, a total of 13,27,702 saplings will be planted by the public undertakings 2089 hectare land in Sambalpur, Sonepur and Bolangir districts and nearly 12,41,000 trees will be planted inside the mining lease area. In addition, 18,400 saplings will be planted outside the mines.
The statement said that it will create lakhs of direct and indirect job opportunities around the catchment area.
Along with its afforestation programme, the Navratn company has also promised compensation for the affected families with higher land prices, pakka houses in townships with modern infrastructure. It will also give monthly disbursements in lieu of employment for the youth to enable them to pursue professions of their choices.