Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), a high-value tuber crop renowned for its medicinal properties, such as enhancing vitality, boosting immunity, and addressing gynecological disorders, had been critically endangered due to unsustainable collection and habitat loss. The tropical climate and altitude of Surgana taluka in Nashik create an ideal environment for cultivating this valuable herb. However, the high cost of planting material had deterred widespread cultivation.

Swades Foundation, a grassroots organization dedicated to rural empowerment, partnered with Blue Dart in FY’23-24 to conduct a pilot program involving 82 households in Nashik, each cultivating Safed Musli on 5 gunthas (5,000 sq feet) of land. Through comprehensive training and support from Swades, farmers were introduced to Safed Musli cultivation, provided with high-quality planting material, and guided throughout the crop cycle to the post-harvest stage. The results were remarkable, with farmers achieving a yield valued at Rs. 1,200 per kilogram, leading to an income of Rs. 28,575 per household.

Following the pilot program’s success, approximately 60% of the participating farmers planned to expand their cultivation area to 20 gunthas (20,000 sq feet) this year. This expansion is expected to generate an income of Rs. 1-1.2 lakhs over a 3–4-month period in FY 2024-25. The crop not only enhanced soil health through diversification but also provided a substantial income boost, helping uplift farmers in the poorest-of-the-poor (POP) category.

The initiative’s success has driven demand for Safed Musli cultivation across Swades geographies in Nashik. In FY 2024-25, the program aims to reach 54 Gram Panchayats in four blocks of Nashik, engaging 800 more farmers. Additionally, Swades Foundation plans to establish a first-of-its-kind Farmer Producer Company (FPC) dedicated exclusively to Safed Musli.

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The drive was inaugurated by Mr. Piyush Somani, Founder, CMD, CEO – of ESDS Software Solution Ltd, with Mrs. Komal Somani, WTD, CHRO – ESDS Software Solution, by planting a sapling at Sandip University, Nashik, followed by Dr. Rajendra Sinha, (Vice Chancellor Sandip University), Mr. Sagar Matale (Founder and President United We Stand Foundation), Mr. Prafull B Sawant. (Brand Ambassador Nashik Municipal Corporation), 7 Maharashtra Battalion NCC Nashik, Mr. Amit Kulkarni (Nisarga Yuva Manch Maharashtra), Mr. Ankush Chavan (Vice President United We Stand Foundation), Mr. Sachin Devare (Garden Inspector Nashik), Mr. Bipin Shewale (PI Trimbakeshwar) Mr. Shahaji Shah (Hirvankur Foundation) Mahendra Nikum (RFO Samajik Vanikaran Keshtra Nashik), Mr. Tejas Talware (Nashik Ploggers), Mrs. Asha Suvarna(The Gateway Hotel Taj Nashik), Mrs. Agastya Munim (Rotary Club of Nashik North), Dnyaneshwar Dhamne (Nashik Smart City), Adesh Karpe (Karmayogi Career Academy), Akhula Bhamare (Umeed Foundation), Mr. Dharmesh Panchal (United Rockers), Miss Gauri Bhamare (Royal Enfield United).

“We are immensely proud to launch the ‘Nashikkar, Your Home Needs a Tree, Join the Mass Movement to #RegreenNashik’ initiative with the United we Stand Foundation. This mega plantation drive is a crucial step towards combating the rising temperatures and environmental degradation in our beloved city. By engaging the entire Nashik community, we aim to create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come. I urge everyone to join us in this mass movement and take an active role in regreening Nashik. Together, we can make a significant impact and ensure a better environment for all, “said Mr. Piyush Somani – Founder, ESDS Software Solution Limited.

Over 750+ volunteers participated in a well-organized campaign, demonstrating a collective solid commitment to environmental conservation. This impressive turnout included employees of ESDS Software Solution, all the members of the United We Stand Foundation, NCC cadets, 20 NGOs, government officials, and various other individuals from Nashik City. The diverse group came together with a shared goal of making a positive impact on the environment. Their collaborative efforts exemplified the power of community engagement in promoting sustainability and set a commendable example for future initiatives. The initial stage of this plantation drive received colossal success, and the subsequent drive will be organized in August.

Commenting on this occasion, Mrs. Komal Somani, CHRO, ESDS Software Solution Limited, stated ”Once, when I was having a conversation with my son Priyansh, I asked him, ‘What gift would you want from us when we grow old?’ his reply amazed me; he said, ‘The only thing I want from you or your generation is a world where we can breathe, live, and be happy.’ Priyansh’s words remind us that we all have a significant role to play in protecting our environment. Let’s go beyond awareness and take actions to provide a sustainable future for generation to come. The onus of parallelly developing green covers across geographies lies not only with an individual or the government but also with responsible corporates like ESDS. I am happy to be a part of such an initiative where the employees have come together as a family and contributed to the core principles of sustainability by pledging to plant 1B+ tress for the larger good of the community and coming generations.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajendra Sinha, Vice Chancellor Sandip University, “I am honoured to be here and proud to have contributed our property to this wonderful initiative by United We Stand Foundation and ESDS Software Solution Ltd. We are committed to making our surroundings beautiful and green and hope to receive ongoing support from ESDS for these efforts in the future.”

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Sagar Matale, Founder and President of United We Stand Foundation, expressed heartfelt gratitude towards all participants: “I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who joined us today, including the dedicated NCC cadets, representatives from all NGOs, government officials, and the enthusiastic individuals from Nashik city. Your presence and active involvement have made this tree plantation drive successful.”

He continued, “As the Founder of United We Stand Foundation, it fills me with immense pride to witness such collective efforts towards securing a sustainable future for generations to come. Our foundation will always remain committed to nurturing green spaces and fostering environmental consciousness, United We Stand Foundation will always be in the forefront for social activities that will create an impact for the betterment of the society.

ESDS ardently endeavours to play a pivotal role in fostering a sustainable and ecologically enriched future. Our commitment is demonstrated in the past through our tireless efforts to transform Ramshej, a barren land in Nashik, into a thriving ecosystem. With the collective efforts of ESDSians, we have successfully planted approximately 300,000 trees and distributed seeds, covering a plantation area of 68,710 square meters. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to our dedication to environmental conservation and our vision of creating a greener planet for future generations.

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BPCL’s reforestation project will utilize 200,000 seedballs distributed by drones, targeting remote and inaccessible areas. This innovative approach addresses the critical issues of rapid deforestation and land degradation, which have significantly impacted the region’s biodiversity, climate resilience, and community well-being.

“At BPCL, we believe in the power of innovation and community. Our drone-based reforestation project in Nashik is a transformative step towards restoring nature and empowering local communities. By leveraging advanced technology and involving local residents, we aim to create a sustainable environment that benefits both the ecosystem and the people. Together, we can build a greener and healthier future.” said Shri Biju Gopinath, Executive Director Pipelines, BPCL.

The project encompasses comprehensive planning, including site selection using GIS mapping, community engagement, seedball production, and drone deployment. The target areas cover 100 hectares across three forest ranges in Nashik District: Sinnar Nashik Range, Hivre Billage, and Ganga Mahalungi Village.

The main objectives are to restore the environment by planting 200,000 seedballs to rejuvenate deforested land, enhance local biodiversity, and promote ecosystem health. Tree species to be planted include Millettia Pinnata (Karanja), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Tectona grandis (Sagwan), Dalbergia Sissoo (Indian Rosewood), Acacia Catechu (Khair), Syzygium Cumini (Black Plum), and Mangifera Indica (Mango). Additionally, the project aims to involve local communities in seedball production and land management, fostering environmental awareness, and creating economic opportunities. It will also utilize seedcopter drones for efficient seedball deployment and employ advanced monitoring systems to track reforestation progress.

This initiative not only aims to restore the environment but also to empower local communities by providing training and employment opportunities in sustainable practices. By integrating scientific research, technological innovation, and community participation, BPCL aims to create a scalable and replicable reforestation model that can be implemented in other regions facing similar challenges. This pioneering reforestation initiative marks a significant step towards creating a greener and more sustainable environment in Nashik, enhancing both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of its residents.

BPCL through their CSR initiatives, have consistently contributed to various social causes, including education, environmental sustainability, health and sanitation, skill development, and community development. This reforestation project aligns with their core CSR focus on environmental sustainability, demonstrating the company’s dedication to creating a positive and lasting impact on society.

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The Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Authority, in collaboration with Palladium India as the Advisory Consultant, has successfully executed a 70 crore initiative to modernize 100 municipal schools, transforming them into smart institutions. In the latest update, the project has upgraded 82 Nashik Municipal Schools into Smart Schools with 656 smart classrooms, 74 ICT/Computer Labs, and digitalizing 82 headmaster rooms. This initiative has directly benefited over 29,000 students and 820 teachers.

In its efforts to transform the NMC schools, Palladium India implemented the Strategic Transformation and Education Program (STEP) approach, which encompassed various initiatives such as Education Transformation, Infrastructure Enhancements, Teaching Empowerment, Establishment of Libraries, Miyawaki Afforestation for Environmental Sustainability, and several Social Awareness Programs like Smart Girls and Bal Sansad.

Features like interactive digital boards, projectors, high-speed internet connectivity, and a plethora of e-learning resources have greatly enriched the academic experience across these schools. Furthermore, the project has prioritized Curriculum Development, ensuring the creation of high-quality digital content across all subjects and grade levels. Notably, the computer education curriculum, curated by the Palladium team, encourages interactive and multimedia content, stimulating curiosity among students.

Mr. B.T. Patil, Administrative Officer, Nashik Municipal Corporation shared his vision for the project and said, “In just two years, the Nashik Smart School Project has soared to great heights, surpassing expectations and redefining educational excellence. Through our unwavering commitment to innovation and collaboration with Palladium India, we’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in classrooms and beyond. Our holistic approach has empowered students, inspired educators, and created a thriving educational ecosystem that is shaping the minds of tomorrow’s leaders. As we continue to push boundaries and embrace new possibilities, the future of learning in Nashik is brighter than ever before.”

Amit Patjoshi, CEO, of Palladium India said, “Through a pioneering approach that fuses cutting-edge technology with innovative teaching methods, the Nashik Smart School Project heralds a new era in education. As partners in this transformative endeavor, Palladium is honored to play a role in shaping the future of learning. This initiative isn’t just about classrooms; it’s about redefining educational standards nationwide, paving the way for a generation of empowered leaders.”

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The Smart School Project was implemented at an overall project cost of INR 70 Crores. Since then, the project has been running in full force with a holistic approach aimed at revolutionizing the educational landscape. It focuses on transforming the digital infrastructure of the schools with the integration of cutting-edge technology into classrooms. This entails the installation of interactive digital boards, projectors, high-speed internet connectivity, and a wealth of e-learning resources to enhance the overall learning experience. Curriculum Development has also been a major focus area under the project for creating high-quality digital content across all subjects and grade levels. The curriculum for computer education, curated by the Palladium team, promotes interactive and multimedia content, fostering curiosity among students.

The project doesn’t stop at mere hardware. Recognizing the human element’s crucial role, the NMC heavily invested in continuous teacher training, and under the Smart School project, Nashik Smart City has trained over 800 teachers by providing them with the skills and knowledge to harness the power of technology and weave it seamlessly into their lessons.

The project implements a robust assessment and monitoring system to track progress and ensure successful implementation. This data-driven approach allows teachers to tailor their methods and address individual student needs more precisely.

The Nashik Smart School Project extends its impact beyond the classroom, embracing a holistic approach that incorporates environmental consciousness and community engagement. An exemplary initiative within this framework is the implementation of “Miyawaki Afforestation” which involves the creation of green spaces using the Miyawaki method, a Japanese afforestation technique known for its ability to establish dense and biodiverse forests in a short period. Furthermore, the project champions the establishment of Children’s Parliaments to provide students with the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making processes related to their school environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership.

Of the targeted 100 municipal schools, 82 have already been successfully transitioned into smart schools. Today, these schools boast state-of-the-art amenities, including Digital Smart Boards, Digital Educational Content, High-Speed Internet Connectivity, and Computer Labs with 21 computers each. The project has so far impacted over 29,000 students and empowered more than 800 educators, fostering high-quality education accessibility for all.

Shri. Sumant More, CEO – of Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation Ltd. (NMSCDCL) shared his vision for the project and said, “Under the Nashik Smart School Project, our commitment extends beyond technology; it’s about fostering a holistic educational ecosystem. Smart City in collaboration with Palladium India, aims to empower students, inspire educators, and redefine the future of learning. We are not just transforming classrooms; we are shaping the minds that will shape the world.”

Shri. Anil Tadkod, GM-IT – Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation Ltd. (NMSCDCL) also added, “Despite all the challenges, we were successful in completing the overall implementation on time and as per schedule. This project was able to transpire the learning process, induce active, interactive learning, enhance engagement, and highly motivated students.”

“In the upcoming phases of the project, we will focus on the enhancement of the ICT curriculum, implementation of teacher training programs, introduction of Reading Corners, and incorporation of Virtual Science Labs. The goal is to provide students with a well-rounded and immersive educational experience, aligning with modern pedagogical approaches and technological advancements,” Shri. B. T. Patil, Education Officer – Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) added.

Amit Patjoshi, CEO, of Palladium India said, “This visionary initiative embodies the future of education, seamlessly blending technology, innovation, and pedagogy. Palladium is proud to contribute to this transformative journey, and I believe that the success of the Nashik Smart School Project serves as a blueprint for educational excellence nationwide. Together, we are not just creating classrooms of the future; we are setting a standard that must be replicated in every state, laying the foundation for brighter and more empowered future leaders.”

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The Kumbh Mela is celebrated after every 12 years at the Trimbakeshwar Temple in Nashik district and the next one is slated to be hosted in 2027. Recently, Nashik’s District Guardian Minister Dadaji Bhuse appealed to industrialists to contribute CSR funds for infrastructural development and beautification of Nashik as part of a preparation for Kumbh Mela.

Here is looking at the top CSR projects in Nashik.

Top Companies for CSR in Nashik

CSR of Bharat Petroleum

Leading PSU Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited announced its support for a significant healthcare initiative aimed at profoundly deaf children in Maharashtra in July this year. As part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), BPCL announced that it has partnered with the Indorewala Memorial Educational & Medical Institute & Research Centre in Nashik to provide cochlear implantation surgeries for 30 underprivileged children in the state.

Cochlear implantation is a life-changing procedure that enhances hearing for individuals who have experienced inner-ear damage and are unable to benefit from external hearing aids. The programme led by IMEMIRC is dedicated to offering early intervention and prevention of hearing loss among economically disadvantaged children born deaf.

The initiative is undertaken under BPCL’s thrust area of Health & Sanitation, the surgeries are conducted in the hospital at Nashik and other locations in Maharashtra.

CSR of SBICAPS

SBI Capital Markets Ltd (SBICAPS) as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, has been working in partnership with Concern India Foundation for the last three years towards strengthening the basic infrastructure of health centres at Raigad and Nashik districts of Maharashtra. Since 2020, SBICAPS has reportedly supported 15 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) and one Community Healthcare centre in the Raigad, Palghar and Nashik districts of Maharashtra. Nashik’s Kanchangaon Health Centre refurbished with CSR support.

In 2022, two sub-health centres and one PHC in Igatpuri in Nashik district were supported with infrastructure, medical and surgical equipment, medical consumables for curative and preventive healthcare and medical services to the tribal communities of the region. Additionally, the rural hospital in Ghoti was supported with a TYPE-C ambulance to cater to the nearby villages for emergency services, as per an announcement made by the company.

CSR of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited (GSK) worked with its CSR Partner, Habitat for Humanity India Trust, to promote sanitation in schools. The project covered the construction/repair of sanitation units and also focused on sensitising the children, teaching and non-teaching staff towards basic health and hygiene practices.

The project, which will benefit over 10,000 students, is an integral part of GSK India’s commitment to promote preventive healthcare in communities. A positive change in hygiene practices, combined with facility construction, will help the children as they use the facilities and will also sensitise their families about the benefits of closed sanitation units.

The school authorities have committed to supervise the project under the guidance of the implementing partner to ensure that the children continue to benefit from improved sanitation.

Sanitation units have been constructed/repaired in the following five partly government aided schools in Nashik:

M.R. Sarda Kanya Vidya Mandir

CDO Meri High School

Sagarmal Modi Prathmik Shikshan Mandir

Ashram Shala Velunje – Primary School

Ashram Shala Velunje- Secondary School

CSR of Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd

Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd, (BFIL) a subsidiary of IndusInd Bank has signed an MoU with The Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) of the Maharashtra Government to begin its Social Impact Initiative “Bharat Sanjeevani” at 31 districts in the state, including Nashik.

The collaboration titled “Mahapashudhan Sanjeevani” under “Mukhyamantri Pashu Swasthya Yojana” is aimed at enhancing the doorstep delivery of livestock care, making all veterinary services available for farmers at just a phone call away. The toll-free 1962 will be operational from early next year.

The joint initiative ensures that livestock is provided quality treatment in a time-bound manner, and the farmer is saved of additional expenses like traveling to the point of care and availing quality medicines. The toll-free 1962 has been operational from January 2021. Maharashtra has a total cattle population of 1.96 Cr.

The doorstep veterinary services will have curative treatment, vaccination, artificial insemination, preventive care and all animal husbandry related information. In the initiative, the field veterinary services of the Department will be deployed through an integrated telemedicine and service management platform developed by BFIL.

The uniqueness of the initiative lies in its’ ability to connect the doctor and the farmer through a mobile app, which also tracks the efficiency of service delivery, medicines prescribed, and livestock diseases related data in one platform. The one-of-its-kind telemedicine platform developed by BFIL ensures that the farmer avails quality treatment at the doorstep in a time-bound manner.

CSR of Indigo Airlines

Indigo Airlines, through its CSR initiative, has enabled thousands of rural women in Maharashtra to write their own destiny. The CSR programme is helping 20 thousand women in rural pockets of four districts – Pune, Ahmednagar, Nashik and Thane, live with dignity. The Airline through its implementation partner is skilling, financing and guiding these women to run their enterprises successfully.

The target beneficiaries of the CSR programme are families with no male earning member. Women with distress have been given priority. Many of these women now earn more than Rs 8,000 per month.

IndiGo’s role is to provide assets for potential enterprise development, advocacy and institutional linkages. The project is focused on capacity building, development through on-farm & off-farm activities, collection, processing and marketing of the farm produce. The programme is spearheaded by AFARM, an association of NGOs working on sustainable agriculture and livelihood in Maharashtra.

In the first stage, awareness programmes in villages and household survey were organised. Women were screened based on a set selection criteria namely SC, ST, OBC and other category Households, BPL & Landless, marginal landholder. But the priority was given to women in distress such as widows, single and divorced ones.

Women were identified with skills and then trained by AFARM. Upskilling was done in Dairy, Gotary, Poultry based livelihoods other than sustainable agriculture and also business planning, enterprise management, negotiations and marketing. The women have also been trained on Digital Financial Literacy, and how to access various government schemes for livelihoods.

The programme has an embedded credit mechanism where each producer group gets 7500 rupees in the bank account. The PG decides on whom to give credit to after assessing priority. Each member of PG also deposits a certain amount ranging from 100 rupees to 500 rupees per month (based on collecting decision taken at a periodic meeting).

The project has witnessed an increase in average gross annual household income by 1 lakh and 50 thousand rupees in just 18 months.  As a result, distress migration of the women households has decreased by 90 per cent. With the help of CRPs, these women are not only aware of their entitlements and services available from State and Central Government, but almost all of them are availing these services.

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Strengthening sub-centres and primary health care centres not only addresses the health and well-being of millions but also decreases mortality numbers. Last year, two sub-health centres and one PHC in Igatpuri in Nashik district were supported with infrastructure, medical and surgical equipment, medical consumables for curative and preventive healthcare and medical services to the tribal communities of the region. Additionally, the rural hospital in Ghoti was supported with a TYPE-C ambulance to cater to the nearby villages for emergency services.

To commemorate the completion of work in the Kanchangaon and Talogha health centres, Nashik, Shri Rajay Sinha, MD & CEO, SBICAPS and Shri Shesh Ram Verma, President & COO, SBICAPS unveiled the plaque in the presence of Dr. Kapil Aher, Deputy Director Health, Nashik Division, Dr. Sudhakar More, District Health Officer, Dr. Yuvraj Deore, Additional District Health Officer, Mr. M.B Deshmukh, Taluka Health Officer, Dr. Sonali Koli – Medical Officer Kaluste, Satish Gawane, Deputy Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat Kanchangaon and Anna Joy, Director Programs, Concern India Foundation.

“SBICAPS has been supporting several social initiatives across healthcare, education, environment, poverty alleviation, child development, vocational training and women empowerment, actively pursuing and endorsing community improvement efforts in varying capacities, across India. Over the past few years, ‘upgradation of primary healthcare facilities’ has been one of the flagship initiatives under our CSR programme considering the impact of the COVID pandemic.

We have been working towards making basic healthcare facilities accessible to all and have allocated a substantial amount of CSR funds to this initiative. We truly believe that strengthening the primary health care system not only addresses the health and well-being of millions but also decreases mortality numbers thus creating equal opportunities for all sections of society. We are confident that all the stakeholders including the medical staff, nurses, ASHA workers, and most importantly the villagers who are mostly tribal people, will highly benefit from the upgraded medical facilities near their own homes. We are humbled and privileged to get such opportunities to impact lives and be flagbearers of change to create a more inclusive society” said Shri Rajay Sinha, MD & CEO, SBICAPS.

Post-intervention it was noticed that access to primary healthcare facilities had improved, ambulances were made accessible where there was a significant need for it, reducing travel costs and time of the beneficiaries. Also, the local populace does not have to travel too far for small procedures that were otherwise not available in these PHCs due to lack of equipment and facilities. Solar panels installed directly have helped the doctors to conduct medical procedures even when there is an electricity cut-off in the area.

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