India CSR News Network
MUMBAI: Ronnie & Zarina Screwvala’s Swades foundation has tied up with 4,500 farmers to plant over 1.35 lakh saplings in Mangaon, Tala, Mhasala, Mahad, Poladpur and Shrivradhan in Raigad district of Maharashtra. On 1 July 2016 a massive tree plantation drive was organized across 6 blocks in Raigad to join the Maharashtra Government’s efforts to make a green state.
The saplings include those of fruits such as Mango, Cocounut, Sapota and Cashew. Last year the foundation planted 77,518 trees of Mango, Cocounut, Sapota, Areca nut and Cashew with 1032 farmers.
As a part of the Van Mahotsav, State led plantation drive aims to plant over 3 crore saplings on 1 July to increase their forest cover to 33% by 2019 from the current 20%. Swades Foundation participated in the drive in their current area of focus – Raigad district – where they work towards rural empowerment and uplifting one million people every five years.
Talking about Swades’s contribution, Ronnie and Zarina Screwvala said in a joint statement, “We are honoured and delighted to have been invited by Government of Maharashtra to participate in this Plantation Drive.”
“We admire the Government’s efforts in rebuilding our green cover which is integral in building a sustainable economy and we hope to do much more next year. Tree planting is a critical part of our plan to transform south Raigad and serves a Dual Purpose, it not only add tree cover but also creates an earning opportunity for our farmers”., Ronnie and Zarina Screwvala added.
Swades Foundation aims at bringing together the best global practices, corporate thinking and accountability, the highest standards of corporate governance to create a model of sustainable development, which is a benchmark in the industry and can be replicated at scale. They use a holistic 360-degree development with a focus on five verticals – Community Mobilisation, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture and Livelihoods, Education and Health & Nutrition to empower rural communities with the capability of creating choices for themselves and their families, allowing them to transform their own lives and ensuring a permanent and irreversible change for good.
Twitter Handle: @WeAreSwades
Twitter Handle: @zarinascrewvala
