Ramco Eco Park

Ramco Eco Park was inaugurated by MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 06th March 2022. The Chief Minister went around the park which aims at restoring ecology of the area State Ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarsu; Meganatha Reddy, Virudhunagar District Collector; PR Venketrama Raja, Chairman, Ramco Group; PV Nirmala Venketrama Raja, PV Abinav Ramasubramaniam Raja, and AV Dharmakrishnan, Ramco Cements Chief Executive Officer among others were present. The concept for this Eco restoration has been designed by Ramco in association with Botanical services, Auroville. The overall aim is to create natural self-sustaining eco system that supports local bio diversity (flora and fauna), as well as establishing environmental education centre and recreation area that caters to the needs of the school students and visitors. With an objective of restoring the mined out land, Ramco Cements has initiated an afforestation program at Pandalgudi to balance the ecological impact of Limestone mining. The Eco restoration is planned for the entire mining area which covers around 800 acres, and is being initiated in a Phase wise manner in areas where reserves are exhausted. The first phase in 2019, involved afforestation programme covering an area of 72 acres by landscaping the mined out area and terracing the dump. This area will be the hub for the whole project, and the environment centre is located here surrounded by ornamental garden with native species and drought tolerant plants.As on date 1 Lakh saplings covering 250 species with 150 indigenous species like different types of ficus, neem, pupil tree, mahilam, pungam, babul tree, pulumeria, cactus, agave, aloe vera, medicinal plants, bushes &climbers and tropical dry evergreen species has been planted.A rockery garden has been created with the waste stones and boulders of the quarry. Phase 2 covers 190 acres and was started in January 2021 and completed in 2022. The dump of 30 meters high on the Hangwall side has been terraced creating 18 km of walking and cycling trails, afforestation on dumps & Periphery, Miyawaki plantation, etchas been done with 1.50 lakh saplings planted.The majority of this plantation is with native species adapted to low rain regime of the local area.A butterfly garden has also been created for various species of butterflies to visit the garden.This garden serves as a perfect recreational activity–viewing the butterflies interacting with the environment. Phase 3 covers an additional 100 acres and was started in December 2021 and will be completed by March 2023. As on date, an area of 350 acres out of the 800 acres project has been covered and around 2.50 Lakh saplings has been planted against the proposed 1 million saplings. Indigenous in-house nursery with trained professionals has been developed for sustaining the green belt development. The project will create diverse forest area, with plant species that facilitates the local species of birds, insects, small animals & reptiles to thrive. Transforming this area in the future to be a fully functioning ecosystem. Create new recreation area accessible for communities in nearby Staff Township, Local schools and other organisations. An Interpretation centre has also been constructed for the benefits of school and college students.