NEW DELHI: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (M&M) planted 0.95 million (9.5 lakhs) trees in FY 2018-19 which contributed in improving green cover and protecting bio-diversity, taking the total tally to 16.41 million trees till date. Out of these, 0.83 million trees were planted in the Araku valley, a hill station in Andhra Pradesh.
The CSR initiative Mahindra Hariyali motivated for planting trees and provided livelihood support to tribal farmers growing coffee in this region as well.
As per the annual report, the total amount spent on the project is Rs 5.75 cr through an implementation agency, Naandi Foundation, and direct implementation through ESOPS.
Company has not reported survival rate of the saplings.
The programme covered the states of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat for planting trees and growing saplings.
The business group launched the programme in 2007, with an aim of adding 1 million trees every year to enhance green cover.
The Group as a whole planted 1.45 million (14.5 lakhs) trees pan India during the year 2018-19.
As per the Govt. Forest Department, the green cover on earth should be 33% for it to be sustainable and for balanced climate control.
The total forest cover in India is 708,273 Sq km, which is 21.54 % of the total area of the country.
Andhra Pradesh has a green cover of 17.17%, which makes this initiative even more important.
Apart from the hilly region of Araku valley, plantations undertaken by communities across the country focuses on planting fruit bearing trees and creating awareness about protecting the fauna, balancing the temperature and benefits of trees in arresting soil erosion and water conservation.
M&M has supported various projects for recycling water and its conservation.
The company became water positive through its comprehensive 360° water management programme – H2Infinity.
It has also taken water recharging initiatives and has started drip & micro irrigation, rainwater harvesting, water recharging and increase the groundwater table.
The company integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), a Private Public Partnership (PPP) model with the Government of Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal and Hatta with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), to increase the groundwater table of 35 villages in Bhopal and 13 villages in Hatta, the project will help by increasing agricultural productivity and improving overall standard of life benefitting 41,112 people residing in the villages.
