A documented policy on Water Conservation and Water quality monitoring analysis and its implementation ensures that this precious resource is not wasted or left polluted in the environment.
A documented policy on Waste Management details the process to be adopted for segregation and responsible disposal of all kinds of waste – degradable, non-degradable, glass/CFLs and waste from workshops. Every worker's house, staff house, executives’ bungalow, office, hospital / dispensary, factory etc belonging to this Company is provided with bags in to which all non-degradable waste is collected by occupants and the same is collected and transported to a central point from where it is transported out of the plantation for reprocessing. Every building on the company premises is also provided with an individual concrete degradable waste receptacle in which degradable waste is collected and at frequent intervals the same is emptied and converted into organic manure.
Rainwater harvesting measures have been taken to recharge the ground water around buildings and areas of human habitation to save precious fresh water.
Integrated Crop & Pest Management, Soil Management & Conservation:
A documented Integrated Pest Management program, based on UPASI Tea Research Foundation’s scientific guidelines and the company's Field Policy Document, is followed which discourages rampant use of agro-chemicals, keeping in mind the ecology of the place. As per company policy a high density of shade trees are maintained in the tea fields to maintain a low micro-climate and act as a natural deterrent to pest build up.
No prohibited or banned Agro-chemicals are used on the group. All purchases are centralized & purchases approved only by the Managing Director or CFO based in the Registered Office. No estate is permitted to procure any Agro-chemical directly from suppliers. All Agro-chemicals used are approved for use in tea as per European Union standards.
A strict Safety Harvest Interval is followed after all pesticide/fungicide sprays to ensure that teas manufactured meet EU MRL levels at all times. Monthly MRL analysis is carried out by third party NABL accredited laboratories.
Planting of soil binding Vettiver grass is carried out on all road edges, stream edges and embankments; and soil & moisture conservation trenches taken in all fields to prevent soil erosion.
Soil Rehabilitation - Burial of pruning litter along with organic compost is carried out after pruning to improve soil fertility and soil structure.
Environmental Protection:
The Company has undertaken a scientific Bio Diversity study thorough a reputed Environmental Group (Wildlife Trust of India) to scientifically documents its Bio Diversity.
To protect its diverse Flora and Fauna the Company maintains a strict control on protecting its forests and wildlife by deploying watch and ward around its property and its fuel clearings/private forests. Felling of trees and poaching of wildlife is strictly prohibited.
The Company has been creating an environment where its wildlife population can peacefully coexist with its plantations by ensuring its fuel clearings and private forests are protected and further by building check dams and rainwater harvesting reservoirs for providing the wildlife adequate water.
The Company owns extensive areas of virgin private forests that are protected in their pristine condition by banning any form of human activity inside these areas and also by deploying watch and ward to protect the same.
The Company has been involved in an afforestation program where its barren and fallow lands are being planted with trees to protect the soil from erosion and provide forest cover for the vast wildlife population residing on the Group.
The Company takes care to ensure that its soil, water, air, forest and wildlife are protected at all cost vide strict adherence to various policies and practices it has implemented, as it believes that the Company’s sustainability is directly dependent on these elements being maintained in pristine condition.
The company has taken the responsibility to ensure that domestic waste being discharged from its housing colonies etc., is first treated and only then released, so that no water body or soil is contaminated.
