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The first time

  • 30/07/2001

The Green Rating Project (GRP) of the Centre for Science and Environment, started with the assumption that environmentally sound development was possible. All that was required was a method to guide the industry.

Information was sought through voluntary disclosures. Eminent public figures formed the Project Advisory Panel while top technical experts constituted the Technical Advisory Panel. An army of volunteers from across the country worked on the field for collecting information. After a detailed study of the sector, the companies were asked to respond to a detailed questionairre. Information provided was scrutinised and the first draft of environmental profiles of 28 plants with installed capacities of over 100 tonne paper per day, was sent to the companies for their feedback. Most of the companies agreed with the report, though with modifications. GRP evaluated the mills using three broad criteria. It paid attention to the environmental policies followed, performance of the protection plant and perception of the stake holders.

A weighted index helped formulate the final ratings. Those scoring a high of 75 or more out of a weighted maximum of 100 were given, symbolic, five leaves. It's another story that no plant actually got it. J K Paper Mills and Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills scored the highest

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