Environmental compliance laws ensure that mined landscapes are adequately restored once the mining activity ends. It is extremely rare to find examples of stringent ecological considerations framed for active mines. Dolomite extraction for the cement industry creates some of the most challenging minescapes due to absence of overburden and immense fragmentation of the landscape. 

To enable an integrated and holistic framework, the restoration process is positioned to create a bird habitat in operational mines. This will help develop an ecologically vibrant habitat that addresses water regimes, biodiversity and air quality. Equally critical is integrating the needs of the community in terms of provisioning for water, livestock and nutrition. The intervention proposes multiple strategies for gradual restoration of the ecosystem’s health. 

The benefits are manifold, both direct and indirect. The biodiversity and the ecological conditions designed for a bird habitat would result in enhanced ecological functioning of natural systems thereby benefiting ecosystem services and ecological resilience of the region. It will cater to the livelihoods of surrounding communities as well as help 

address long-term challenges of climate change.

The mines are operated by Dalmia Cement located in Tamil Nadu and Orissa and all interventions are actualized by the company’s teams in each mine.