The steel city will soon grow a green lung out of industrial waste with the forest department taking the first step on Statehood Day. The department, which is planning an eco-restoration and reclamation drive, kicked off a plantation programme at Jugsalai muckdump on Tuesday. The aim is to study and conduct research on the growth of particular species of plants on the waste. This apart, the department has convinced corporate houses to reclaim industrial wasteland by undertaking plantations from this year. Thus, plantations on slag and cinders will not only add to the green cover, but also provide knowledge about growth of plants in such areas where there is no soil. “Plantation on industrial waste does not mean mere eco-restoration. It also involves studying the growth of plants. Regular observation will tell us the rate and survival of plants on industrial waste,” said Sanjeev Kumar, DFO, Dhalbhum. Although Tata Steel’s engineering and environment department is developing the Jugsalai muck dump into a park-cum-tourist destination, the forest department will undertake its own study. It has planted species like seesam, sagwan, sal, cashew, sirish, kadam, peepal and banyan at the dump and will conduct a research during peak time in summer. Tata Steel has roped in RS Product, a Delhi-based private firm, for eco-restoration work at the Jugsalai dumpyard. The project’s highlight is an eco park at a height of 50m. Other priorities are tree plantation, slope stabilisation and watershed management. “Tata Steel is doing a commendable job by building a park on industrial waste. What we want is all industrial waste dumping areas should be converted into eco-friendly zones. If some corporates can do it, others can follow. This is the first time that we have joined hands with the companies,” said Kumar. In July this year, the department had organised a workshop for corporate firms and farmers on “Industrial waste: Its reclamation and linkages with livelihood” to promote and create livelihood. The workshop discussed how fly ash could be recycled to make bricks, while lemongrass and citronlla, used in perfume and related industries, could be grown on hills of slag.