Televisions and computers may have become popular in this electronic age. But they have not succeeded in replacing newspapers and books for information and entertainment.  We need tons and tons of paper every day- for writing, wrapping and for numerous other things. Paper  consumes  tons of trees and we generally ignore the irreparable damage inflicted on environment when trees are cut down to make paper. Environment awareness has taught us not to burn plastics but we don’t hesitate to burn paper as we think they are useless and cheap.  It is not possible without using paper. So the next best thing is to make optimum use of paper. We can make quality paper out of used paper, which we dump as waste paper.

Hindustan Newsprint Ltd (HNL) in Velloor near Kottayam, Kerala is a profit making central public sector enterprise. The recently launched Expansion-cum-diversification project of HNL aims to increase annual production by another 1.7 lakh tons of newsprint, writing and print grade paper. In the new expansion scheme, there will also be a de-inking plant with a capacity to produce 200 tons of paper per day. With this the annual production of HNL will increase to 2.8 lakh tons. HNL had started its first de-inking plant in 2002. This has now become an important factor in the company’s meteoric rise.

De-inking  procedure

De-inking is a procedure in which ink and other dirt are removed from used paper. The waste paper is first converted to pulp and then treated with chemicals to remove ink and dirt. Thus the quality of paper pulp is increased. This pulp made from waste paper is then mixed with the pulp made from wood to make newsprint. Thus the need for wood to make pulp is considerably reduced which in turn helps the conservation of forest.

The de-inking plant in HNL now needs 140 tons waste paper per day for making pulp. Once the new de-inking plant is commissioned the waste paper needed will increase to 280 tons per day. HNL officials say that in India only 20 per cent of waste paper is used for recycling. In western countries more than 60 per cent of waste paper are reused.

Wastepaper Collection and Recovery Scheme

Union Minister for heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Sontosh Mohan Dev recently launched the Wastepaper Collection and Recovery Scheme in Kerala. The implementation of the scheme will ensure supply of waste paper for its de-inking plant. HNL will seek the help of women’s empowerment groups like Kudumbasree for collecting waste paper. HNL will buy the waste paper collected from these groups. This in turn will give gainful employment to women and self-help groups. This scheme gives economic independence to women as well as conserves nature.

Farm  Forestry Scheme

HNL was dependent on forest-based raw materials allotted by State Forest Department for making newsprint. As the forest resources dwindled, HNL explored alternate source for pulpwood. In 1993, HNL started Captive plantation Scheme in land allotted by Kerala Government. HNL has launched Farm Forestry Scheme to generate pulpwood from trees cultivated by farmers on their land. The Farm Forestry Scheme covers all the 14 districts of Kerala from Benthadukka in the northernmost district of Kasargode to Ottasekharamangalam in Thiruvananthapuram district. HNL provides seedlings, polythene bags and extensive technical assistance to selected voluntary organisations to cultivate superior quality pulpwood saplings. The agencies distribute the seedlings among farmers at subsidised rates. The farmers can sell the pulpwood directly to the company under the Purchase at Gate (PaG) Scheme.

So far 280 lakh pulpwood seedlings have already been distributed among the farmers of Kerala. Since 1988, HNL has collected 4.6 lakh tons of raw materials under the PaG Scheme. The seedlings of Bamboo, reed, mangium, acacia, eucalyptus, albizia, casuarina are given to the farmers. These trees can be grown without much nursing and tending in even barren land. HNL extends technical guidance and support at all stages of raising nursery and cultivation. Farmers get extra income and this helps afforestation.

The Expansion-Cum-Diversification Scheme of HNL will be completed in two and a half years. This project is expected to cost Rs 718.8 crore. In 2005-06 HNL produced 1,13,050 MT paper and earned Rs 303 crore. This was a record in the history of HNL.

HNL is an excellent example of a public sector enterprise, which has recorded profits even after following strict environment conservation procedures. The environment friendly schemes of HNL are helping women and farmers in getting some extra income. (PIB Features)

*Information Assistant, PIB Thiruvananthapuram

AB/RTS/VN

SS-207/SF-207/08.12.2006