Naturally growing Saccharum munja L. on the fly ash lagoons: A potential ecological engineer for the revegetation and stabilization

摘要: Increasing areas of coal fly ash (FA) deposit pose a serious concern for its safe disposal to maintain the environment quality. Several thousand hectares land have been occupied storage FA all over world. deposits cause environmental pollution through wind erosion and ground water contamination leaching process. Naturally growing Saccharum munja on derelict lagoons NTPC Unchahar, India was identified as native perennial grass in rehabilitation We tested ecological suitability effective restoration terms their abundance stabilization. The contains alkaline pH, low organic C coupled with toxic metals i.e. Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb Zn. concentrations these different parts plant fall average range plants were found within limits. Natural colonization S. predominate fast growth high biomass which is used by local people making ropes, baskets, mats, huts, etc. support livelihood. These results suggest that would be potentially useful rehabilitate dumps more efficiently if it introduced properly fresh convert barren into ecologically socio-economically productive habitats without any inputs or maintenance.