Hindustan Zinc Transforms 13Ha of Industrial Land into Greenbelt in Rajasthan
Hindustan Zinc Limited has completed the restoration of 7 hectares of Jarofix-laden industrial wasteland under Phase 2 of its green transformation project at the Chanderiya Lead Zinc Smelter in Rajasthan.
In collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), this initiative builds on the successful restoration of 6 hectares completed under Phase 1. With a total of 13 hectares now transformed, the project has turned the world’s largest single-location zinc-lead smelter into a thriving greenbelt.
The transformation leverages advanced Mycorrhiza technology, which promotes a symbiotic relationship between plant roots and fungi, enabling vegetation to flourish in iron-rich, challenging terrain. Over 15,000 native saplings were planted in Phase 2, following the earlier planting of 11,000 in Phase 1, creating a high-density, self-sustaining ecosystem.
Recognized as the world’s most sustainable metals & mining company by S&P Global CSA 2024, Hindustan Zinc continues to set benchmarks in environmental stewardship.
As part of its broader restoration strategy, the company carried out hydroseeding at multiple operational locations in Rajasthan using a rich mix of native tree and shrub seeds, including Dalbergia sissoo, Dalbergia latifolia, Acacia nilotica, Acacia catechu, and Pongamia pinnata, along with local varieties of grasses such as perennial rye and Bermuda. Small shrub seeds like Andrographis paniculata and Withania somnifera were also used to increase biodiversity and ground cover resilience.
On the occasion, Arun Misra, CEO – Hindustan Zinc commented “At Hindustan Zinc, we believe that industrial leadership must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility. The transformation of legacy industrial land into thriving green ecosystems reflects our commitment to reimagining mining for the future - one that regenerates, not just extracts. Through science-backed restoration, native afforestation and strategic biodiversity planning, we are not only building ecological resilience around our operations but also contributing meaningfully to India’s environmental goals and global benchmarks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
Complementing this large-scale greenbelt effort, Hindustan Zinc has also adopted the Miyawaki afforestation method across its operations. Known for its ability to accelerate ecosystem restoration, this method enables plant growth that is 10 times faster and results in plantations that are 30 times denser than conventional methods. It involves planting dozens of native species in proximity, creating a self-sustaining forest within just three years. These forests significantly boost carbon sequestration and support local biodiversity.
Through the implementation of the Miyawaki method, Hindustan Zinc has already transformed 2.4 hectares across its Debari, Dariba, and Chanderiya units, planting 32,500 saplings from over 65 native species. The most recent addition includes a 1000 square meters Miyawaki forest at the Kayad mine in Rajasthan, further strengthening the company’s ecological restoration efforts.
In parallel, Hindustan Zinc continues to integrate nature-positive strategies into its core business planning. As part of its three-year engagement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the company has successfully developed site-specific Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs) for all its operational units. These plans guide biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and mine closure planning aligned with global best practices.
Hindustan Zinc has also recently signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Department of Forest, Udaipur to rejuvenate Baghdarrah crocodile conservation reserve. With an investment of INR 5 crores, this initiative marks a significant step in public-private partnership for ecological restoration and aims to transform the nearly 400-hectare reserve into a thriving habitat for marsh crocodiles.
