AXA XL in India has partnered with NGO Give Me Trees Trust, to embark on an ambitious three-year project to plant 30,000 trees and create a biodiversity park in Jaunapur, Chhatarpur, New Delhi.
Why create a biodiversity park?
Healthy biodiversity helps to breakdown and absorb pollution and provide resilience to climate change. The new park in Delhi is expected to release 2,400,000 kgs of oxygen per year, with the fledgling forest becoming self-sufficient after two years. Additionally, healthy biodiversity helps with the management of groundwater levels, preventing flash flooding and enriches the quality of the soil.
Preserving biodiversity is a key element of AXA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. AXA XL will play its part in delivering on this through this CSR project, by helping to develop and monitor the land with the Give Me Trees Trust and also by assisting with fundraising for raw materials like seeds, soil and gardening equipment.
Project Aranya
Project Aranya, which launched in April, has already facilitated the planting of 5,000 trees, with socially-distanced site visits for AXA XL employees planned in the coming weeks. A key aim of the project is to engage the local community and increase awareness of sustainability, therefore the charity will be hosting several webinars which will be open to the public.
“Delhi has a significant issue with air pollution and unsanitary water and this initiative will help to keep ecosystems healthy, creating a protected space where nature can thrive,” says Derek Nazareth, Head of Global Operations and Country Head, AXA XL in India. “Conservation and sustainable development strategies are integral in preserving biodiversity, and this project, which has been driven by our Think Green Team in India, is an example of the positive local actions we can take to deliver our global CSR goals.”
His AXA XL colleagues and employees have, despite COVID-19 restriction, continued to find ways to support this initiative from home by growing saplings for the Give Me Trees.
Swami Prem Parivartan also known as Peepal Baba, Founder, Give Me Trees Trust, adds: “AXA XL is working alongside us as our corporate partner to develop not just a biodiversity park but to create a whole new ‘sustainable’ experience for its employees. The Company’s fundraising campaign, volunteer involvement, workshops and community engagement activities will have a long-lasting impact on this urban forest.”
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