Plantation and green belt development not only functions as foreground and background landscape features that result in harmonizing and amalgamating the physical structure of the port with the surrounding environment but also acts as a pollution sink. Thus afforestation programmes is of paramount importance for any industrial development. In addition to augmenting existing vegetation, it will also check soil erosion, make the ecosystem more complex and functionally more stable, make the climate more conducive and aim towards restoring water balance.
Local species of plants with saline tolerance and being able to grow in water logged areas would be preferred in these areas.
The plant species selection will depend upon:
- Crown shape, bole (trunk length)
- Crown cover, determining the shade
- Flowering.
- Adaptability to grow in wide range of ecological conditions.
- Robustness of the species, thus determining the requirements of NPK fertilizers, bio fertilizers, pesticides.
- Nitrogen fixing capabilities in the top soil
Plantation programme would be undertaken in all available areas. This will include plantations in the port premises, in the township (along the roads and the administrative buildings and residential quarters). Local youth would be trained in social forestry activities.
Plantation on the Economic Corridor
We have undertaken strip plantation in both sides of the railway corridor from Bhadrak to Dhamra. This plantation would demarcate our railway corridor and also increase the natural vegetation cover of the area. Following plant species are being planted.
| Quick Growing |
Slow Growing |
| Acacia mangium |
Ficus religiosa |
| Acacia auriculiformis |
Terminalia arjuna |
| Eucalyptus sp. |
Terminalia catappa |
| Casuarina sp. |
Delonix regia |
| Grevellia robusta |
Peltoforum ferrugenium |
| Bamboosa sp. |
Mimusops elengi |
| Hedge Plantation |
Saraca asoca |
| Bamboosa sp. |
Thespesia sp. |
| Pandanus sp |
Mangifera indica |
| Agave sp.
|
Syzigium cumini
|
|
Chiller sp. |
Artocarpus heterophylus |
| Duranta sp. |
Azadirachta indica |
| Phoenix sp. |
Pongamia pinnata |
| Clerodendron inermi |
Dalbergia sissoo |
| Lawsonia inermis |
Calophyllum inophyllum |
| Any other thorny plants
|
Callistemon lanceolatus |
Plantation is to be carried out in the northern (60 km X 1 m) and southern edges (60 km X 3.496m) of the corridor. Both quick and slow growing species are being planted and care would be taken to ensure the survival of the plant species. The Orissa Forest Development Corporation has undertaken this activity and we expect a healthy plantation by 2010 of about 2,40,000 trees.
Plantation in the Port Area (Green Belt)
Plantation is being planned in the 117 Acres of the port area, which will constitute the Green Belt around the Bulk Material Handling Area. Plantations of indigenous plant species in all vacant areas will increase the green cover of the port site and improve the ecological health of the area. The local village youth would be actively engaged in the process to help manage the function better.
Forest Land Requirement
Small patches of Jungle Kisam Land would be acquired when the need arises and the Clearance of the concerned authorities would be taken for the same after identification of alternate land.
Mangrove Protection
A small patch of mangroves present in the port site has been identified for protection by the Dhamra port as per the directions laid down in the National Environment Appellate Authority judgment in the year 2000, this small patch has been fenced by the port authorities and this area has been excluded from the port expansion plans. The fenced area is 825 m in length and 150 m in breadth and consists of Avicennia alba species of mangroves with about 140 trees. The port authorities plan to plant more mangroves in this area.
Reclamation
Reclamation is being done constructing bunds in the Bulk Material Handling Areas
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) with its species specialist groups have been actively guiding the port authorities in implementing the best environment practices. Adequate measures have been implemented with their active guidance on the same. Members of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group have been assisting and guiding us in implementing known safe–guards during dredging operations.
Dredging
IUCN in their scoping mission had identified dredging as a concern to the marine life. Accordingly Marine Turtle Specialist Group members of the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (US) have utilized their expertise of the last 27 years of safe dredging in 90 riverine locations. They have used physical modifications in the dredging equipments, using deflectors, and screens in the dredgers to be deployed. We have installed turtle deflectors and inflow and over flow screens in all the operating dredgers in the port waters.
Lighting
IUCN experts have identified light spillage and light pollution as one of the key threats to the turtle habitats. Experts have already successfully implemented lighting safeguards in the US coastline frequented by nesting turtles. They have also advised DPCL on best lighting practices, which would help conserve the turtle habitat and also lead to prevention of luminary wastage. DPCL also follows safeguard measures regarding light spillage and light pollution in the port site as per the recommendations of the IUCN. Lighting has been identified as one of the key pollutants vis-à-vis the Olive Ridley turtles and the Company is taking measures as laid down by lighting experts of the IUCN in Florida, US to safeguard the environment.
