Rourkela: Nestled in the heart of Odisha’s Sundargarh district, the Purnapani Limestone & Dolomite Quarry (PL&DQ) has undergone an extraordinary transformation from an industrial mining site to a thriving ecological haven.
Spanning over 230 hectares, the quarry was leased out to the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in 1960. For decades, it played a crucial role in supplying raw materials for iron and steel production. However, due to the high silica content (SiO? >6%) in the limestone, its suitability as a flux in steel manufacturing was compromised.
Consequently, mining operations were suspended following a decision by the SAIL Board in 2002, leading to an official closure on March 1, 2004. This left behind a landscape marked by mining pits, overburdened dumps, and degraded land.
Instead of abandoning the exhausted quarry, SAIL initiated an ambitious eco-restoration project. The objective was to transform the land into a self-sustaining, ecologically productive ecosystem.
Speaking to UNI, Sibabrata Basak, General Manager (Planning & Development) & in-charge of Purnapani Limestone and Dolomite Quarry, shared insights into the initiative.
“In 2005, SAIL partnered with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, and the Centre for Environment Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE), University of Delhi. Under the guidance of Professor CR Babu, a team of academicians and researchers embarked on a mission to restore at least 200 acres of land to its pre-mining ecological state,” the official said.
Basak said, “Over the next fifteen years, these efforts bore fruit. The barren, lifeless land gradually transformed into a lush green expanse, with improved soil quality, reintroduced native flora and fauna, and restored ecological processes. Today, PL&DQ stands as a symbol of corporate responsibility, environmental stewardship, and scientific innovation”.
Purnapani’s transformation serves as an exemplary model for restoring industrially exploited landscapes. The project illustrates that with careful planning and sustained efforts, even the most degraded environments can be revived to support biodiversity and ecological balance.
He said, “A key highlight of the restoration is the successful conversion of a 200-acre mining-affected area into a three-storied forest ecosystem. More than five lakh grass ramets and over three lakh saplings of 70 native forest tree species were planted. The initiative prioritised indigenous tree species such as Sal, Bija, Sheesham, and Gamhar, while fruit-bearing trees like mango, jackfruit, and jamun were introduced to enrich biodiversity”.
Furthermore, the project also supports sericulture, boosting local silk production. Five different bamboo species were cultivated, enhancing both ecological and economic benefits. The restored forest now provides a habitat for diverse wildlife, including native bird species like the Indian Parrot, Common Myna, Bulbul, Kingfisher and Cuckoo.
He said the ecological impact of the restoration has been profound. The newly regenerated forest exhibits high species richness and diversity, closely resembling natural ecosystems. Soil nutrient levels have improved significantly, and erosion has been effectively controlled. Additionally, heavy metals in the overburden dumps have been immobilized, ensuring cleaner groundwater and surface water.
A remarkable feature of the project is the development of a 30-metre-deep, 200-acre reservoir, which has evolved into a thriving aquatic ecosystem, said Basak.
To enhance biodiversity, phytoplankton, zooplankton and mud samples from nearby wetlands were introduced, along with ten lakh fingerlings in 2019. This once-barren mine void is now a flourishing water body supporting local livelihoods.
The project has also created sustainable economic opportunities for local communities. Villagers now engage in traditional fishing, sericulture, beekeeping, and lac insect culture, ensuring steady income sources. Self-help groups too have been trained in fish farming and other livelihood activities, strengthening community resilience.
The transformation of the PL&DQ mine showcases the potential of turning mining-affected lands into productive ecosystems, demonstrating that industrial development and environmental conservation can coexist.
The initiative sets a benchmark for sustainable mining practices, proving that with vision and dedication, degraded landscapes can be regenerated for the benefit of both nature and society.
