The state-owned power sector major NTPC Ltd has initiated a move for the plantation of medicinal and aromatic trees in and around its power plants, involving local people.

This is aimed at creating an enabling environment through capacity-building at various levels and also to get an in-depth view of the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants.

The company late last week took part in a workshop at Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University at Rajendra Nagar in Hyderabad for its horticulturists, followed by a visit to the facilities for a field study for participating officials from across India working in different NTPC power stations.

According to Alind Rastogi, IFS, Chief Forest Officer and Executive Director of Environment Management Group of NTPC, the company plans to add value in its afforestation programme, which will not only increase the carbon sinking area but also contribute to the diversified use thereof, including spreading awareness about the medicinal value of plants.

It could also be used as an income generating and livelihood creation initiative for local villagers in the vicinity of NTPC plants by promoting plantation of medicinal and aromatic crops, he added.

NTPC, as a responsible corporate entity, is alive to the issue of the reducing environmental impact emanating from its business activities.

The power company has adopted a two-pronged strategy to combat the issue of pollution by adopting advanced technologies and operating its stations more efficiently, thereby, releasing much lesser greenhouse gas compared to the national average, and also by planting a large number of trees, not only in and around its facilities but elsewhere in the states.

The company has so far planted more than 21.5 million trees and the inventory is growing at a pace of one million every alternate year.

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