At JSW Cement, we are committed to conducting our business responsibly and we recognise the importance of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services for the long-term sustainability of its operations. The Company takes concerted actions to protect, restore and promote all forms of life in the ecosystem.

Governed by our Biodiversity policy, JSW Cement is committed to conserve biodiversity around its plants and quarry sites under various biodiversity management initiatives. We have a target of No Net loss of biodiversity by 2030. Both active mines (Nandyal and Khatkurbahal) are not near protected areas, but nearby scheduled species prompt wildlife conservation plans. The Vijayanagar grinding unit, near Daroji Bear Sanctuary, has a dedicated wildlife plan. We're committed to afforestation, native species planting, green belt maintenance, and approved mining and rehabilitation plans.

Partnering for Conservation Efforts

We are proud to be a part of the Indian Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI), launched by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In addition, we have committed to the IUCN’s Leaders for Nature programme. In FY 2024-25, we also partnered with World Economic Forum – 1t.org and with ‘Nature of Business’ at group level. These partnerships empower businesses to drive innovation, develop new business models, and implement solutions that integrate natural capital into their value creation processes. By adopting this collaborative approach, we aim to benefit not only our business but also biodiversity and society as a whole. Owing to our efforts for biodiversity, Nandyal plant has been conferred the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Award 2024 for Excellence in Biodiversity, marking company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and progress made on biodiversity management.

Biodiversity Exposure and Assessment

We have seven sites (in India), including our subsidiary Shiva Cements and mines at two sites. Cognizant of the proximity of our operations with nature, we have initiated Biodiversity risk assessments for all sites in FY 2023-24. The assessment shall be carried out in two phases.

• Phase I (Desktop Assessment): Gap assessment was conducted based on the datasets provided by each site such as EIA reports and site-specific reports of previous biodiversity study, and secondary data sources. The desk assessment was carried out for all operational sites, i.e. seven locations covering a total area of 1013.68 Ha. Additionally, the dependency and impact assessment were carried out for own operations and upstream and downstream activities. All operations located within a 10 km radius of protected areas, migratory routes, and Ramsar Wetland sites were mapped using various tools. This supported ecosystem mapping, risk identification for each ecosystem, measurement of ecosystem services, and evaluation of the effectiveness of existing management plans. Site-specific risks (including impacts and dependencies) were assessed in accordance with the JSW Biodiversity Technical Standard. Based on the risk and opportunity mapping, a scoring matrix was developed. Each site was then scored using this matrix to prioritise high-impact locations. As part of the assessment, biodiversity-related risks were also identified. Among all sites, Nandyal and Vijayanagar sites, covering a cumulative area of 335.08 hectares, were identified as high-impact locations. Wildlife Conservation Plans/Biodiversity Management Plans are available for both sites, covering the entire 335.08-hectare area. To strengthen our efforts at these two locations, we are undertaking Phase II assessment, i.e., onsite assessment.
• Phase II: On Site Assessment: We have initiated on-site biodiversity risk assessment at Nandyal site. The plant already has a Wildlife Conservation Plan as part of compliance requirements. Purpose of this study was to assess and document biodiversity (Flora-Fauna, habitats, terrestrial ecosystems, distribution of vegetation, Aquatic ecosystems) around the plant and plan for its conservation and development.
  To mitigate the identified risks and progress towards achieving our target of No Net Loss (NLL), we will be prioritizing risks based on the applicable standards and Natural Capital Action Plan provided by CII team, enabling us to focus and create action-oriented, efficient, and streamlined plans to prevent and mitigate the risks. The assessments are ongoing, and we are yet to disclose the final findings.
  By committing to undertake Biodiversity Risk Assessment, JSW Cement demonstrates its dedication to upholding and promoting preservation of biodiversity across its operations. This approach not only benefits its stakeholders but also contributes to a more sustainable and responsible business environment in the cement industry.

Biodiversity Mitigating Actions

• At JSW Cement, we are committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity across all our operations. We follow a structured mitigation hierarchy - Avoid, Reduce/Minimise, Regenerate, Restore/Rehabilitate, and Transform - to address the ecological impacts of resource extraction and industrial activity.

Mitigation measure	Our practice
Reduce/Minimise	To minimize our biodiversity footprint, we implement responsible mining practices tailored to the ecological sensitivities of each site. Controlled blasting techniques, optimized drill-and-blast methodologies, and staged waste dumping are employed to reduce land degradation and preserve surrounding ecosystems. These actions are designed to limit our dependency on nature while maintaining operational efficiency.
Rehabilitate/Restore	We implement progressive mine rehabilitation plans in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices. Annual plantation drives using native species and the maintenance of mandated green belts around our sites are central to our restoration efforts. These actions aim to return impacted areas to their original ecological state and support long-term biodiversity recovery.
Offset	Where direct mitigation is not possible, we undertake offset initiatives to restore biodiversity. At selected locations, we have adopted the Miyawaki afforestation method to develop compact, layered forests that replicate natural ecosystems. At our Nandyal site, we are creating a butterfly garden to enhance local flora and fauna. These offset efforts complement our broader biodiversity strategy and ensure that residual impacts are addressed through ecological compensation.
Avoid	Avoidance is the first and most critical step in our mitigation strategy. We integrate proactive measures to eliminate environmental impacts before they occur. This includes strategic site selection to ensure our facilities are located away from ecologically sensitive zones. Technological interventions such as non-electrical shock tube-controlled blasting systems, supported by Minimate Blasters, help minimize ecological disturbance. Our operations are carefully timed and planned to reduce disruption to natural habitats, reflecting our commitment to spatial, technological, and temporal avoidance.
Regenrate	Beyond reduction, we actively pursue regenerative practices that enhance ecological productivity in landscapes currently used by humans. In case of dormant mine pits, these are repurposed into rain-fed reservoirs, supporting agriculture and afforestation efforts. These initiatives not only improve ecosystem services but also contribute to community resilience and sustainable land use.
Transform	To further our commitment to preserving biodiversity across our operations, we have joined the Indian Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI), launched by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Additionally, we have also committed to IUCN’s ‘Leaders for Nature’ programme. This association aims to support businesses in amplifying innovation, new business models, and solutions that seamlessly integrate natural capital within their value creation process. This symbiotic approach benefits businesses, biodiversity, and society at large.

Biodiversity Risks

• Site-Level Biodiversity Risk Assessment – JSW Cement Nandyal: At JSW Cement, we conducted a detailed biodiversity assessment at our Nandyal Works facility to identify ecological risks, dependencies, and opportunities. The assessment covered both the core zone (plant premises) and the buffer zone (10 km radius), documenting a total of 161 floral species in the core zone and 247 in the buffer zone, along with 94 faunal species including birds, mammals, reptiles, and butterflies. Key risks identified include the presence of invasive species such as Leucaena leucocephala, Lantana camara, and Chromolaena odorata, which threaten native biodiversity and require active removal and replacement with indigenous flora. The greenbelt, while meeting regulatory coverage requirements, was found to be fragmented and dominated by monoculture plantations, limiting its ecological function and wildlife movement.
  
  To mitigate these risks and progress towards achieving our target of No Net Loss (NNL), we have prioritised risks based on applicable standards and the Natural Capital Action Plan provided by the CII team. This enables us to create focused, action-oriented, and efficient plans to prevent and manage biodiversity risks. Our mitigation strategy includes transitioning to native plantations, enhancing greenbelt connectivity through ecological restoration and gap-filling with native species, improving waste management practices (including recycling, reduction, and safe disposal), and developing biodiversity-focused infrastructure such as butterfly parks and medicinal gardens.