Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) has achieved a significant milestone in environmental restoration by successfully converting land previously used for mineral mining into productive organic farms.
Under Haritham ee Theeram project, the company’s Mineral Separation unit has proven that biological rejuvenation of mined-out areas is not only possible but highly sustainable. Launched in 2022, the initiative has rapidly evolved from a land recovery experiment into a thriving agricultural hub.
“The complete removal of nutrient-rich topsoil had left the area devoid of essential minerals. Using organic manure including cow dung, the soil’s natural fertility was restored,” says T. Karthikeyan, head of the department, Mineral Separation unit.
A standout success in this rejuvenation journey is the experimental cultivation of sesame, which is ready for harvest. The project specifically utilised Thilarani, a premium variety of sesame perfectly suited for the soil conditions of the Onattukara region. This variety is known for its deep brown seeds that mature within a span of 80 to 85 days.
