At JSW Cement, we are committed to conducting our business responsibly and we recognise the importance of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services for the long-term sustainability of its operations. The Company takes concerted actions to protect, restore and promote all forms of life in the ecosystem.

Governed by our Biodiversity policy, JSW Cement is committed to conserve biodiversity around its plants and quarry sites under various biodiversity management initiatives. We have a target of No Net loss of biodiversity by 2030.

Partnering for Conservation Efforts

We are proud to be a part of the Indian Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI), launched by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In addition, we have committed to the IUCN’s Leaders for Nature programme. We also partnered with World Economic Forum – 1t.org and with ‘Nature of Business’ at group level. These partnerships empower businesses to drive innovation, develop new business models, and implement solutions that integrate natural capital into their value creation processes. By adopting this collaborative approach, we aim to benefit not only our business but also biodiversity and society as a whole. Owing to our efforts for biodiversity, Nandyal plant has been conferred the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Award 2024 for Excellence in Biodiversity, marking company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and progress made on biodiversity management.

Biodiversity Exposure and Assessment

Cognizant of the proximity of our operations with nature, we initiated Biodiversity risk assessments for all sites including mines in India in FY 2023-24. The assessment was conducted in two phases.

  • Phase I (Desktop Assessment): Gap assessment was conducted based on the datasets provided by each site such as EIA reports and site-specific reports of previous biodiversity study, and secondary data sources. The desk assessment was carried out for all operational sites, i.e. seven locations covering a total area of 1013.68 Ha. Additionally, the dependency and impact assessment were carried out for own operations and upstream and downstream activities. All operations located within a 10 km radius of protected areas, migratory routes, and Ramsar Wetland sites were mapped using various tools. This supported ecosystem mapping, risk identification for each ecosystem, measurement of ecosystem services, and evaluation of the effectiveness of existing management plans. Site-specific risks (including impacts and dependencies) were assessed in accordance with the JSW Biodiversity Technical Standard. Based on the risk and opportunity mapping, a scoring matrix was developed. Each site was then scored using this matrix to prioritise high-impact locations. As part of the assessment, biodiversity-related risks were also identified. Among all sites, Nandyal and Vijayanagar sites, covering a cumulative area of 335.08 hectares, were identified as high-impact locations. Wildlife Conservation Plans/Biodiversity Management Plans are available for both sites, covering the entire 335.08-hectare area. To strengthen our efforts at these two locations, we are undertaking Phase II assessment, i.e., onsite assessment.
  • Phase II: On Site Assessment:: We have initiated on-site biodiversity risk assessment at Nandyal site in FY25. The plant already has a Wildlife Conservation Plan as part of compliance requirements. Purpose of this study was to assess and document biodiversity (Flora-Fauna, habitats, terrestrial ecosystems, distribution of vegetation, Aquatic ecosystems) around the plant and plan for its conservation and development. Dolvi and Vijaynagar were already assessed as part of the group company.
    To mitigate the identified risks and progress towards achieving our target of No Net Loss (NLL), we will be prioritizing risks based on the applicable standards and Natural Capital Action Plan provided by CII team, enabling us to focus and create action-oriented, efficient, and streamlined plans to prevent and mitigate the risks. Furthermore, in FY26, we conducted Biodiversity Risk Assessments at Shiva, Salboni and Jajpur locations and subsequent Biodiversity Management Plans were drafted. The assessments are ongoing, and we are yet to disclose the final findings and our disclosure on TNFD
    By committing to undertake Biodiversity Risk Assessment, JSW Cement demonstrates its dedication to upholding and promoting preservation of biodiversity across its operations. This approach not only benefits its stakeholders but also contributes to a more sustainable and responsible business environment in the cement industry.

Biodiversity Risks

Two potential key biodiversity-related risks identified through the assessment are water dependency and ecosystem degradation, and habitat disturbance from operational activities. Water availability emerged as a significant nature-related risk, in the coming decade, reflecting the sector’s reliance on water resources for operational and supporting activities. Reduced water availability or deterioration in water quality could place additional pressure on surrounding aquatic ecosystems, affect biodiversity dependent on these habitats, and increase the need for resource-intensive treatment measures.

Another potential risk relates to habitat disturbance resulting from land use, resource extraction, air emissions, and operational activities, if restoration measures are not adequately implemented Dust emissions, vegetation clearance, land modification, and mining-related disturbances can affect ecosystem health by reducing vegetation productivity, fragmenting habitats, and disrupting wildlife movement and ecological functions.

Biodiversity Mitigating Actions

We are committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across all our operations. We follow a structured mitigation hierarchy – Avoid, Reduce/Minimize, Regenerate, Restore/Rehabilitate, and Transform – to address the ecological impacts of resource extraction and industrial activity.

a. Avoid:

Avoidance is the first and most critical step in our mitigation strategy. We integrate proactive measures to eliminate environmental impacts before they occur. We avoid operations near globally or nationally significant biodiversity areas and World Heritage Sites.  Technological interventions such as non-electrical shock tube-controlled blasting systems, supported by Minimate Blasters, help minimize ecological disturbance. Our operations are carefully timed and planned to reduce disruption to natural habitats, reflecting our commitment to spatial, technological, and temporal avoidance.

b. Reduce / Minimize:

To minimize our biodiversity footprint, we implement responsible mining practices tailored to the ecological sensitivities of each site.  Controlled blasting techniques, optimized drill-and-blast methodologies, and staged waste dumping are employed to reduce land degradation and preserve surrounding ecosystems. These actions are designed to limit our dependency on nature while maintaining operational efficiency.

c. Regenerate:

Beyond reduction, we actively pursue regenerative practices that enhance ecological productivity in landscapes currently used by humans. In case of dormant mine pits, these are repurposed into rain-fed reservoirs, supporting agriculture and afforestation efforts. These initiatives not only improve ecosystem services but also contribute to community resilience and sustainable land use.

d. Restore:

 We implement progressive mine rehabilitation plans in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry’s best practices.  Native species plantation, green belt development and annual plantation drive support ecosystem restoration. Dormant mine pits are also repurposed as water reservoirs, helping nearby communities, agriculture and afforestation.

e. Offset:

We undertake offset initiatives where direct mitigation is limited. Selected locations use the Miyawaki method to create compact, layered forests. At Nandyal, we have developed a butterfly garden to support local flora and fauna. We also explore regenerative measures to improve ecosystem processes.