Trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen which is crucial for our survival. But not only this, trees also help to filter the water we drink, and provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity apart from being a major source of medicines.
Top companies operating in India often focus on healthcare, education and other such sectors with the aim of empowering the country’s less privileged population. But, what about environment? How many CSR initiatives focus on marine conserbvation, tree plantation or conservation of biodiversity?
On India’s 77th Independence Day, The CSR Journal takes a look into latest Corporate Social responsibility initiatives focusing on tree plantation undertaken till date in the year 2023 to make our nation greener.
South Eastern Coalfields’ tree plantation drive in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), the Chhattisgarh-based subsidiary of mining major Coal India Limited, has decided to invest a whopping Rs. 169 crores for tree plantation Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the states in which it operates. The plantation will be carried out for a period of five years from FY 2023-24 to 2027-28 with its subsequent maintenance of 4 years for each consecutive year of plantation.
For execution of the project, the company has signed Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chhattisgarh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam and Madhya Pradesh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam. As per the MoU, SECL will spend Rs. 131.52 crore in Chhattisgarh and Rs. 38.11 crore in Madhya Pradesh for enhancing greenery in the central Indian states.
Six to twelve months old (polypot) plants will be used for the plantation work. Among the saplings that will be planted are different species including fruit bearing trees like Jamun, Imli, Bel, Mango, Sitaphal etc., and medicinal/ herbal plants like Neem, Amla, Karanj etc.
In addition to these, trees with high timber value such as Teak, Sal, Bamboo, Babool, Sissoo, Safed Sirus and ornamental or avenue plants like Gulmohar, Kachnar, Amaltas, Peepal, Jharul etc. will also be planted. Keeping in view the needs of the local communities, species of plants will be selected while paying heed to suggestions from local villagers.
HDFC Bank with Mumbai Port Authority to plant 3 lakh trees in Maximum City
HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, announced the launch of a tree plantation drive in Mumbai in April this year. The bank has partnered with Mumbai Port Authority with an aim to plant approximately 3 lakh trees in the city starting with Sewri and Reay Road. This activity is in addition to the plantation of 30 lakh trees announced recently. The initiative is part of #Parivartan, HDFC Bank’s umbrella brand for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
Mumbai Port Authority has made land available in the city for the project. The project has been conceptualized with a vision to combat rising air pollution in Mumbai. In March 2023, HDFC Bank signed an MoU with Office of the Collector, Mumbai Suburban to plant 30 lakh trees across Mumbai city. The Bank has also committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2031-32.
The large-scale tree plantation in urban localities is expected to significantly contribute to reducing air pollution, improving the local ecosystem and the overall biodiversity. The project is also in line with United Nation’s ‘Sustainable Development Goal’ on combating Climate Change and the Government of India’s ‘National Clean Air Programme.’
JSW’s Mangrove Restoration Project in Raigad
JSW Foundation, the CSR arm of JSW Group has been focusing on a mangrove restoration project in Raigad district of Maharashtra for the past few years. Currently, the total number of saplings planted has surpassed over 2 million, with a survival rate of over 70%, covering 380 hectares of land, as per a statement issued by the foundation.
Since 2016, JSW Foundation has been working to nurture this bio-shield between the water body and the adjoining land with the aim of preventing erosion of land and deterioration of soil quality thereby arresting the loss of fertility and promoting development of habitat for various species of fauna including those of fish, prawns, molluscs, crabs, reptiles and birds.
The project also aims to promote livelihood diversification through various other initiatives such as pisciculture (fish farming), crab-fattening, home-based poultry farming, and composite farming. The aim is to empower local communities to explore sustainable economic opportunities.
Bharat Forge plans to plant 10,00,000 trees by 2030
Bharat Forge Ltd, a multinational conglomerate organised a tree plantation drive on the occasion of World Environment Day this year. The company announced that they have planted a total of 1,00,000 trees as part of this campaign. The estimated annual absorption of carbon dioxide per full-grown tree is approximately 0.024 MT. Bharat Forge claims to have planted a total of 1,35,000 trees till date. The tree plantation drive aligns with Bharat Forge’s vision of creating a greener and more sustainable future. The company has set an ambitious target of planting 10,00,000 trees by 2030.
Schwing Stetter India, construction and concreting equipment manufacturing company has initiated its sustainability campaign, #GoGreenwithSchwing, with the aim of planting 2,50,000 trees globally by 2023. This initiative is a part of the company’s ongoing 25th-anniversary celebrations of its presence in India. The tree plantation initiative has commenced from Irungattukottai in Tamil Nadu and Guwahati in Assam and is expected to span across the country. As per an announcement made by the company a total of 30,000 tree saplings were planted under the #GoGreewithSchwing initiative in Irungattukottai.
With #GoGreenwithSchwing, the company has taken an initiative to promote reforestation and reduce the carbon footprint by involving multiple stakeholders including employees, customers, business partners, and dealers. Schwing Stetter India aims to achieve the target of planting 2,50,000 saplings globally by 2023.
Tree plantation drive by Canara HSBC Life Insurance
GARV, a dedicated life insurance division for Armed forces institutionalised by Canara HSBC Life Insurance announced its pan India tree plantation drive in partnership with Defence and Paramilitary forces across the country in June this year. The initiative was carried out to mark 15 years of the company’s journey on 16 June 2023 and also the World Environment Day.
The campaign aims to contribute towards environmental sustainability in Defence and Paramilitary formations across India. Almost 15,000 saplings were planted throughout the month of June 2023 across cities like Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Dharamshala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Meerut, Lucknow, Dehradun, Prayagraj, Bareilly, Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Siliguri, Patna, Asansol, Ranchi, Raipur, Guwahati, Imphal, Dimapur, Tejpur and Jhansi.
Tree plantation drive by Kanodia Group
Kanodia Group recently announced that it has undertaken a tree plantation drive in Uttar Pradesh. Through this initiative, they aim to plant 10,000 saplings in an effort to contribute to the green cover and combat climate change.
The plantation drive witnessed the active participation of Kanodia Group’s employees, local communities, and environmental enthusiasts. Kanodia Group has partnered with the state government to contribute to the cause of increasing green cover and mitigating the effects of climate change.
The tree plantation was conducted across Gautambudhnagar, Shikandrabad, Bulandsahar and Kanodia Group’s Amethi Plant Premises. The saplings were carefully chosen to promote biodiversity and improve the ecological balance of the region. The drive covered diverse plant species, including native trees and fruit-bearing plants, to benefit both the environment and local communities.
