With World Environment Day around the corner, Tata Steel along with all its units and raw materials divisions have geared themselves to observe the day. West Bokaro Division of the company flagged off the month-long celebration at the Administrative Building today.

Mr Awadesh Kumar Ojha, General Manager, West Bokaro, unfurled the flag and ushered in "Green Month". Present on the occasion were Mr S S P Singh, Secretary, Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Sangh (RCMS), officers, union leaders and other employees of the division. Following this, all departmental heads unfurled green flags in their respective departments.

This is the beginning of a month-long series of activities that the Division has lined up to observe the Day. Besides the employees, the Division also intends to include other citizens, especially school children, in its effort to spread awareness about conservation of environment. Addressing the gathering, Mr Samir Chatterjee, Chief, Planning, said that the Division aims to plant one lakh saplings before the monsoon this year.

West Bokaro Division of Tata Steel has fully mechanised eco-friendly open cast mines producing 5.5 MT Raw Coal per year. This colliery is also the proud owner of the country's first washery. The Division is making remarkable contributions towards achieving the Company's Goal to Reduce Carbon Dioxide(Co2) emissions to 1.5 Tones/tonne of liquid steel compared to the current 1.8T/tls by 2012.

West Bokaro Division is certified by Environment Management System ISO-14001 (first in coal industry). It has been honoured with the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award, besides bagging the second position for excellence in water harvesting by Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, National Energy Award, National Safety Award, PM Shram awards and OHSAS (Occupational Health, Safety Assessment Series) 18001.