Pollution Norms

After treatment, the discharged effluent is clear and comfortably meets the stipulated norms by the pollution control authorities.

Ecological Balance

In addition to complying with the norms stipulated by the pollution control authorities, Shakarganj has planted environment-friendly trees not only in its premises, but also in the surrounding areas. A task force has been constituted which ensures the planting of thousands of trees annually. Shakarganj also buys seedling and saplings and freely distributes them to communities living in the neighboring villages.

Production of Ethanol

A distillery has been set up for manufacturing alcohol/ethanol which can be easily blended with conventional petrol and used in vehicles. The production of ethanol is an extremely environment-friendly option as its emission on usage does not pollute air.

Plant Protection

With its deep commitment to environment-friendly operations, Shakarganj Mills Limited implements biological pest control in the fields - covering an area of over 50,000 acres of farmland. Sugarcane borers are controlled by releasing two types of predators in the field – Trichogramma and Chrysopa – reared in 1998 and 2007 in SSRI laboratories. The propagation is through placement of egg sheets in the field. The insects then emerge from the eggs and destroy the harmful borer pests. This is a nature-friendly separation. This process is carried out in close collaboration between farmers and the SSRI.

Bio-Compost

Shakarganj recycles sugarcane waste for the benefit of farmers and the land. This process was initiated in 2001. Sugarcane crop depletes the farmland of important nutrients. Micro and macro organic remains of the sugarcane are turned into bio-compost. So far, 247,469 tonnes of bio-compost has been produced and distributed in 61,841 acres of land under the sugarcane cultivation. In many cases, extensive depositing of such rich bio-compost has turned barren land into arable farmland.

Yearly bio-compost production, utilisation and economic benefit to Shakarganj cane growers

Year	Production (Tonnes)	Utilisation (No. of acres)	Bio-compost cost @ 20 tonnes/acre)	Fertiliser NPK cost  @ 60-40-40 kg/acre	Benefit to Shakarganj cane growers (Rs in millions)
2006-07	30204	7551	1600	4450	21.5
2005-06	27589	6897	1400	3800	16.6
2004-05	39735	9933	1300	3600	22.8
2003-04	48436	12109	1200	3400	26.6
2002-03	50261	12565	1100	3200	26.4
2001-02	51144	12786	1000	3000	25.6

The use of cost effective and nutrient-rich bio-compost substitutes the crop’s Phosphate and Potassium requirement while reducing the Nitrogen requirement to half. Furthermore, crop yield can be increased by fifty percent.

Tree Plantation at SML Adopted Schools

During 2008, Shakarganj planted a total of 1,046 neem and sheesham trees in the adopted schools’ premises. The SAP aims to plant more trees in areas surrounding the mills.