An awareness session on snakes was organised by Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM) of Tata Steel, at Jajpur district in Odisha,  on the occasion of World Biodiversity Day or International Day of Biological Diversity, today.

Mr Subhendu Mallick, General Secretary and founder of Snake Helpline, a Bhubaneswar-based voluntary organization,  who is also Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khurda district, conducted an awareness session at Sir Dorabji Tata Park within SCM campus on popular myths versus realities of snakes, identification of venomous and non-venomous snakes, snakebite symptoms, first-aid, importance of snakes in biodiversity, etc.

A total of 300 students of nearby schools, teachers, Sukinda area, Tata Steel officers, members SCM Workers’ Union, etc. attended the session. It was aimed at creating awareness on conservation and importance of snakes in biodiversity among the school children and the community.

Appreciating SCM for the initiative, Mr Basanta Kumar Tripathy, Head of the Department, Botany, Dharmasala College, guest on the occasion said that such sessions would create a better understanding of biodiversity among the children and dispel misconceptions about the reptile.

To begin with, about 100 students participated in a rally dressed in outfits of various animals inside the SCM township in a bid to spread the message of biodiversity. It was led by Mr Haridrumat Behera, Head, Mine and Production Planning, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, Head, Administration,Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division, Tata Steel.

There was also a photography competition on biodiversity among the employees of SCM. Besides a workshop on handling snakes and first aid after snake-bite was also conducted for St John Ambulance team of SCM, security staff and some selected members from the communities by Mr Mallick.

Being the first mine in the country to roll out Sustainable Development Framework in January 2016, SCM has been organising a series of events to contribute to National Biodiversity Targets like Spot the Species, Leaf Identification, Green Therapy, Jaibakala Vividhata, Prajatiya Khadyotsav, etc. and spread awareness on biodiversity.

Tata Steel Group stands among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 28 million tonnes per annum (MnTPA) and a turnover of US $17.69 billion in FY16. It is the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and commercial presence in over 50 countries. Established in 1907, the Group’s vision is to be the world steel industry benchmark in “Value Creation” and “Corporate Citizenship” through the excellence of its people, approach and overall conduct. Underpinning this vision is a performance culture committed to aspiration targets, safety and social responsibility, continuous improvement, openness and transparency. Having bagged the Deming Application Prize and Deming Grand Prize for continuous improvement in 2008 and 2012 respectively, Tata Steel has now been recognised as the global ‘Industry Leader’ in ‘Steel category’ by Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Besides being one of ‘worldsteel’s’ Climate Action members, it has also been awarded the CII ITC Sustainability Prize, the ‘Best-in-class Manufacturing’ by TIME Award, the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant, among several others.

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