Bokaro: Planting the seeds of a greener future, ESL Steel Limited marked World Environment Day 2026 with an ambitious plantation campaign and a series of sustainability-focused initiatives across Bokaro. The programme underscored the company’s growing commitment to balancing industrial progress with environmental stewardship.
Joining the nationwide “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” movement, over 150 employees came together to plant more than 1,000 native saplings across a 1.80-acre site. Each sapling was dedicated to mothers and Mother Earth, transforming the campaign into a tribute to care, life and environmental conservation.
15,000-Sapling Green Mission Begins
The plantation activity represents the first phase of ESL Steel’s ambitious plan to plant over 15,000 native saplings at the site in the coming years. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the region’s green cover and contribute to ecological restoration.
During the event, Ravish Sharma, CEO and Whole-Time Director of ESL Steel Limited, interacted with employees and workers, applauding their enthusiastic participation. He urged everyone to embrace environmental responsibility in their daily lives, highlighting tree plantation and the reduction of single-use plastics as crucial steps toward a sustainable future.
Beyond the central plantation site, additional green drives were conducted across various departments of the plant, resulting in the planting of more than 300 saplings within the industrial premises.
Joint Plantation Drive with CISF and SAIL
In a significant collaborative effort, the CISF Bokaro Unit, along with ESL Steel Limited and SAIL, organized a major plantation drive near Circuit House, Bokaro. The initiative witnessed the plantation of over 1,000 saplings, with ESL Steel contributing more than 300 saplings through its CSR programme, Project WADI.
The Environment Department supported the programme by providing suitable native species to ensure long-term sustainability and survival of the plantation.
Senior CISF officials, including Rajeev Mishra, DIG, CISF, M.A. Khan, Senior Commandant, and Upendra Singh, Deputy Commandant, joined representatives from ESL Steel’s CSR and Environment Departments in the plantation effort. The participants emphasized the importance of collective action to combat climate change and restore ecological balance.
Sustainability Awareness Takes Centre Stage
As part of the celebrations, ESL Steel installed a sustainability-themed selfie booth within its premises, encouraging employees to publicly express their commitment to environmental protection. The initiative received an enthusiastic response and helped make sustainability awareness more engaging and interactive.
The company also organized a cleanliness drive at the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) in Dhandabar village, where over 50 participants joined hands to promote sanitation and community responsibility.
Employees Engage Through Competitions and Awareness Programmes
World Environment Day celebrations began with an environmental awareness session and quiz competition that saw participation from more than 300 employees, workmen, and business partners representing key operational departments, including SMS, Blast Furnace, RMHS, DIP, Coke Oven, and HR.
To encourage creativity and environmental consciousness, ESL Steel also hosted a series of competitions, including Waste-to-Value challenges, poster-making contests, poetry writing, and short-video competitions focused on environmental conservation.
‘Every Sapling Is an Investment in the Future’
Addressing participants, Ravish Sharma said environmental sustainability is not merely a corporate responsibility but a collective commitment to future generations. He noted that initiatives such as “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” strengthen the bond between people and nature while inspiring meaningful action for environmental conservation.
He reiterated ESL Steel’s commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility, adding that every tree planted today contributes to a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable tomorrow.
Through the series of activities, ESL Steel reinforced environmental awareness among employees and communities, while strengthening its long-term commitment to sustainable development and ecological stewardship.
