A company site for people and environment
Naroda is an industrial area in the city Ahmedabad in the Indian State of Gujarat. The production site was formerly the US-based engineering company Dresser-Rand and has belonged to Siemens since 2015. The premise is 68,000m² and has 210 Siemens employees and 270 contract partners manufacture Reciprocating Gas Compressors and auxiliaries. In addition to their daily work, many employees are committed to cultivating the 11,000 m² of green space on the site. Not only do they have a positive impact on the environment, they also serve as role models for the people around them.
Many hours worked for the good of nature
A well-kept park with a large variety of species and thousands of trees where employees can breathe fresh air and numerous types of animals can live – this is the result of countless hours of voluntary work in many individual on-site projects done by our colleagues at the Siemens site in Naroda. Having recognized the dangers of environmental destruction, management and employees decided to do something about it. Thanks to the commitment of Yogesh Joshi, Head of EHS (Environmental Protection, Health Management and Safety), and his colleagues, various environmental projects have been carried out.
The photo shows Nikhil Chitnis, Engineer Manufacturing Service, presenting the on-site nursery.
Biodiversity benefits everyone
In their free time, employees have grown almost all 8,000 trees and shrubs that thrive at the site's own nursery; an area of 11,000 square meters. Surplus plants are distributed once a week to any interested employees and neighbors. The involvement of colleagues spreads beyond the location by raising the awareness and value of nature to employees, business partners and people living near the site.
At the location itself, the employees have attracted an impressive diversity of species. More than 60 types of trees are growing on the site, including various palm and fruit tree such as mango, papaya and lemon along with many flowering shrubs and perennials. This large variety of vegetation is especially attractive for many hungry insects and birds as well as Indian palm squirrels and monkeys.
Managing valuable water
In a region characterized by long dry periods and short rainy seasons, one of the greatest challenges is the ecological use of water while creating and maintaining a rich biodiversity.For ten months of the year there is drought, during which the plants have to be irrigated on site. In the remaining two months, the monsoon season, almost the entire year's rain falls, which typically flows off the land and is therefore wasted. In order to bridge the dry spells, the wastewater from the site (between 35,000 and 40,000 liters per day) is cleaned, stored and used for irrigation of the green areas. During the monsoon period, rainwater is also collected in deep wells for the dry season. This is the only way to make biodiversity at the site possible!
Sustainability is great for business
The commitment of employees to biodiversity and sensible water use is highly valued by site management.The joint commitment improves the working environment, strengthens employee loyalty and is an expression of good corporate citizenship. Vijay Phatarphekar, Managing Director of Dresser-Rand India, sees the great business benefits of sustainability issues. For example, environmental protection and nature conservation not only affect the biodiversity and life of the people in the location and in the neighborhood, but also have a positive effect on the business.
Environmental Protection, Health Management and Safety (EHS) not only affects the environment, it affects our lives, and it is also excellent for business."Vijay Phatarphekar, Managing Director Dresser-Rand India
