BHUBANESWAR (India CSR): Jindal Foundation, the Social Arm of Jindal Steel led by Smt. Shallu Jindal planted 75000 + plants across its location pan India mapping on record the longitude and latitudes of plantation sites. In Odisha, alone, joining State Government’s massive plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0,’ Jindal Foundation, planted 55,000 saplings in the state on the birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji under the guidance of Shri Naveen Jindal, Hon’ble MP (Kurukshetra) and Chairman of Jindal Steel.
Community Plantation Drive
The Foundation organised community plantation programmes across its key operational sites in Odisha in Angul, Barbil, Tensa and Kasia, involving thousands of employees, Women SHGs, Farmers’ Clubs , FPOs, Community members, students, and volunteers. The drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from all corners, including Senior Govt Officers, Community leaders, Teachers , Nature Lovers, Schoolchildren and women’s self-help groups, and members of local panchayats. Significantly, the saplings planted were fruit-bearing trees and Plants of Medicinal Values ensuring long-term ecological, health and nutritional benefits for the communities.
Massive Plantation Angul
At Angul, the participation of District Administration was spectacular with the ADM Shri Pratap Pritimay accompanied by Sub Collector Shri Mayadhar Behera, Tahsildar Shri Sushant Mishra planted saplings at Benagadia and Derjang villages where more than twenty acres land came under greenery initiatives of Jindal Foundation. Jindal Steel’s Executive Director (in-Charge) Shri Pankaj Malhan, President and Group Head CSR Shri Prashanta Hota, EVP Shri Ashish Pandey, EVP Shri Prasanna Panda and Vice President Shri SK Sharma along with the CDAO Shri Umashankar Mishra, NABARD’s DDM Shri Ashutosh Roy, Principal Scientist Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dr. Debashis Mishra and local elected representatives also joined the community plantation drives, in which 43,000 saplings were planted.
Panchayat Leadership Support
The active and front-line involvement of Panchayats led by Sarpanch Sri Anil Pradhan, Sarpanch Tuni Sahoo, Zila parishad member Sri Dilip Pradhan, Hon. MP’ s representative Sri Bijay Majhi and Social Workers Sri Kumuda Sahoo, Sri Sourav Behera and Sri Kumara Behera in mobilizing the local community for this noble initiative was appreciably inspiring .
Panchayat Leadership Support
Similarly, in the Barbil, Tensa, and Kasia region, the Foundation conducted community plantation drives across four Gram Panchayats, where 12,000 saplings were planted. The initiative was led by Jindal Steel’s Cluster Head (BKT) Shri Pramod Patra, Unit Head Shri Purushotham MD, Unit Head (Tensa) Shri R S Raghuwanshi along with local elected representatives and senior officials, ensuring active community involvement and shared ownership of the programme.
Symbolic Green Campaign
Speaking on the occasion, Jindal Foundation’s Chairperson Shallu Jindal said, “We are proud to be a part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, which beautifully unites environmental responsibility blended with the most sacred emotional connection with one’ s Mother. Planting trees in the name of our mothers is not just symbolic, but a sincere step toward nurturing both nature and values. This initiative reflects our deep respect for our Prime Minister’s vision and our commitment to building a sustainable tomorrow.”
Sustainability Commitment Strengthened
Participating in the programme, Jindal Steel’s Executive Director (in charge) Shri Pankaj Malhan said, “Environmental sustainability is integral to our operations. This initiative has allowed us to connect with local communities in a meaningful way, reinforcing our dedication to green development.”
Ecosystem Nurturing Approach
President & Group Head (CSR & Sustainability) of Jindal Steel, Shri Prashant Hota added, ““At Jindal, we don’t just plant trees — we nurture ecosystems. Every sapling is tracked, and maintained, ensuring long-term impact. It is our way of giving back to the land that sustains us.”
Notably the plantation at all locations by Jindal Foundation is community driven and several CBOs have been linked and supported to nourish the plants adopting scientific measures ensuring 100 % survival after one stress period.
Administration Applauds Efforts
At Derjang site of Plantation , Pratap Pritimay ADM, Angul profusely applauded the social initiatives of Jindal Steel saying that the Company’s Social Arm Jindal Foundation has been meaningfully partnering with the Govt / District Administration to augment the Quality Life of local community and this Plantation drive is a signature of their commitment to the society and local community .
Longstanding Green Commitment
The Jindal Foundation has a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, especially across its operational areas Over the years, it has undertaken extensive tree plantation drives, water conservation initiatives, integrated watershed development & Wadi (Orchard), excavating Water Harvesting Structures and creating such carbon sink projects around its operational locations with active community participation.
Environmental Education Support
The Foundation also supports eco clubs in schools, environmental education, and green livelihood training for women’s self-help groups. Guided by its motto, “Caring Beyond Bounds,” the Foundation continues to integrate ecological responsibility into all aspects of its social development work.
(India CSR)
