On the occasion of World Environment Day on 5th June 2004, Tata Steel has inaugurated its first water-harvesting project at two locations in the Company office premises. One at the Research and Development premises and the other at the ITS Building. Besides, a Blower and Pump House for Collection of rainwater and recharge of cooling pond and a Transportnagar for Collection of rainwater and the use of the same for ground water recharge, toilet flushing and gardening has also been inaugurated by the senior executives of the Company.

While addressing the gathering at the ground breaking ceremony of water harvesting initiative at Research and Control Lab and ITS Building, Mr A N Singh, the Deputy MD, Tata Steel (CS) said water is precious to all life forms on this planet. Although 75 % of the earth surface is covered with water, yet only 3 % of the total water available on earth is found suitable for human consumption, out of this 3 %, most of the water is either locked in polar ice caps and glaciers or is locked underground beyond commercial reach of available technology for exploitation. Only a little less than 1 % water is available in lakes, rivers and approachable underground aquifers.

Mr. Singh added that the situation today has become very serious as most of our water resources are depleting fast due to over exploitation and pollution created due to human activities. Ruthless environmental degradation has resulted in very little recharge and replenishment of our aquifers and rivers mainly due to mass scale deforestation, soil erosion and carelessness on part of human beings to trap the rain water for replenishment of water bodies that provide us this valuable resource during non-monsoon period.

He further said, Tata Steel is conscious towards its corporate social responsibility to conserve water resources and also to enrich them has initiated several measures. The consumption of water in household and in the steel plant is being reduced year after year by introduction of recycle and reuse technologies and by harvesting rainwater. Mr Singh informed that the Managing Director Tata Steel has written a letter to the Chief Minister, Jharkhand stating that every building plan that has been passed by the Municipal authorities should have a water-harvesting plan.

Mr RBB Singh, President, Tata Worker’s Union and the guest of honour said this is a commendable job, which should have been done more in numbers to protect our environment. He urged upon all present in the function to pay a serious attention to this alarming problem and conserve water in every means.

In addition to above, JUSCO has initiated several schemes to harvest rain water in building complexes in the Town with technical support from Center for Science & Environment, a New Delhi based expert agency. The efforts by Steel Company will bring enormous savings to water abstracted from rivers in Jamshedpur. The function was well attended by senior officials of the Company and office bearers Tata workers Union.