Financial conglomerate IIFL Group’s CSR arm – IIFL Foundation has partnered with Maharashtra government’s ‘Mumbai Climate Action Plan’ to create the mega city’s first large urban forest. IIFL Foundation will create a 10,000-tree strong urban forest in Andheri’s UJLP ground near Veera Desai road under the first ‘Green Yodha’ project of Maharashtra Government to combat climate change.
The ‘Green Yodha’ project aims to increase plant cover in Mumbai and create a carbon neutral economy in the long-term. The overall green cover in Mumbai has reduced by 40% over the last two decades, while during the same period temperature of the city has increased by 4-5 degrees. The project aims to plants herbs, shrubs, medicinal plants and trees to create urban forests across marked locations in Mumbai with higher than average temperature than other places.
The urban forest was inaugurated by Shri Aditya Thackeray, Cabinet Minister for Tourism and Environment, Government of Maharashtra in presence of Mr Nirmal Jain, Founder IIFL Group, Mrs Madhu Jain, Director, IIFL Foundation and Ms Priyanka Chaturvedi, Member of Parliament. This is the plantation project by IIFL Foundation. The foundation has already created Maharashtra’s first medicinal garden at The Institute of Science in Mumbai.
Shri Aditya Thackeray, Cabinet Minister for Tourism and Environment, Government of Maharashtra said, “There is no doubt anymore that climate change and environmental degradation is clear and present danger to this earth and humanity. We need to accelerate all the efforts to combat climate change… We recognize the support of IIFL Foundation in this urban forest project …along with others involved in the Mumbai climate action plan.”
Mrs Madhu Jain, Director, IIFL Foundation said, “Sustainability is one of the key focus areas for IIFL Foundation. Increasing tree cover in a global mega city like Mumbai through urban forests is of paramount importance. We are grateful to be a part of the project and will extend all the support to government of Maharashtra’s efforts in combating climate change.”
IIFL Foundation which is a global name in girl child education and health has increased its contribution to the climate action theme over the past two years. The foundation has connected fifty-five schools in Maharashtra and Rajasthan, where electricity is not available or patchy to off-grid solar panels ensuring uninterrupted power supply. The foundation has also launched India’s largest capacity last mile vaccine delivery by drone and agriculture drone to ensure sustainable delivery of health and agricultural services in the most sustainable manner to fight climate change besides the last mile efforts.
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