NEW DELHI (India CSR): Standard Chartered Bank, India, and Haritika, a non-governmental organisation, have announced “Project Treedom 2.0” – an initiative through which 1 million (10 lakh) native saplings are getting planted across four Army establishments.
Project Treedom 2.0
This ambitious large scale tree plantation project is getting carried out simultaneously in Gwalior (0.2 mn – 2 lakh), Babina (0.3 mn – 3 lakh), Sagar (0.3 mn – 3 lakh), and Ahmednagar (0.2 mn – 2 lakh) establishments, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s efforts towards enhancing India’s green cover and restoring ecological balance.
Tackling Environmental Challenges
The initiative addresses critical environmental challenges prevalent in the northern and central belts of India, which are particularly vulnerable to water scarcity, largely due to geographical factors. Changing climate patterns have increasingly disrupted rainfall and agricultural activity, impacting the livelihoods of people dependent on monsoons for farming.
Sustainable Planting Practices
Through Project Treedom 2.0, the Bank is working on developing new forests through agroforestry-based sustainable carbon sequestration initiatives, which includes conserving biodiversity and planting diverse native species. All plantation parcels are equipped with drip irrigation systems to ensure efficient water usage, and solar-powered water systems have also been installed to lift water from sources, further promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices.
Long-Term Green Impact
Since August 2024, extensive preparatory work was completed at all sites prior to the plantation drive, including site identification, cleaning, pre-planting surveys, planting layout design, pit digging, fertilisation, and setting up sustainable water systems. With a projected environmental impact spanning two decades and an estimated survival rate of 70-80%, this initiative has the potential to sequester an average of 447,023 tons of CO2 per year. Beyond carbon sequestration, it will significantly enhance local biodiversity, revitalise green cover within these establishments, and provide fruits and medicinal products for local communities.
Treedom Phase One
Standard Chartered’s commitment to building a more sustainable future is evident through its several large-scale environmental and water initiatives. During the first edition of Project Treedom in 2023, 1 million (10 lakh) native trees were planted in the wastelands of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra (0.5 mn – 5 lakh), Aravalli ranges at Manesar near Delhi (0.3 mn – 3 lakh), and the dry parched terrain of Jodhpur in Rajasthan (0.2 mn – 2 lakh) along with Bhumi.
Commitment to Sustainability
Karuna Bhatia, Head of Sustainability, India, at Standard Chartered Bank & Global Business Services, said, “At Standard Chartered, we are deeply committed to fostering a more sustainable future, and Project Treedom perfectly embodies this vision. Our partnership with Haritika to plant one million trees across these establishments is a testament to the power of collective action. This initiative goes far beyond just planting trees; it’s about creating lasting environmental impact by significantly enhancing green cover, sequestering substantial amounts of CO2, and enriching local biodiversity for decades to come. We believe that by investing in such large-scale environmental programmes, we are not only contributing to climate change mitigation, but also directly improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
Army’s Green Support
Maj Gen KTG Krishnan, General Officer Commanding, Shahbaaz Division said, “On behalf of Shahbaaz Division, we compliment Standard Chartered and its team for spearheading the tree plantation drive under Project Treedom in Gwalior & Sagar Military Station. Your dedication to enhance ecological support through greenery is making a tangible impact on our environment and further strengthening our commitment towards afforestation & reforestation Drive. Your efforts in nurturing Nature are commendable and inspire us all to be more eco-conscious. Keep Growing Keep Green!!”
Haritika’s Green Mission
Avani Singh, Founder & Executive Director Haritika said, “We extend our gratitude to Standard Chartered Bank for conferring upon us the privilege to collaborate on Project Treedom — a transformative odyssey dedicated to ecological renaissance. By orchestrating the plantation of approximately one million diverse species, we are not merely amplifying verdant canopies but are also effectuating substantial sequestration of atmospheric CO2. Our direct intervention within the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) nexus further exemplifies our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Building Better Communities
Manish Singh, Head, CRES, India, ASEAN & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “The Bank has been playing its part in bettering the lives in the communities that we operate in. Through this specific Project Treedom initiative, we are aiming to enhance the ecological balance in the environment. It serves an important purpose of enhancing the green cover and in the bargain ensuring a better future for all.”
(India CSR)
