Mahindra & Mahindra has sewn up plans to take up a massive plantation drive in the picturesque Araku valley of Andhra Pradesh covering fruit trees and coffee plantations.
This is part of the group’s move to contribute to the green cover through its Hariyali initiative.
The $15.9-billion Mahindra Group said it planted 17,46,418 trees during 2012-13, surpassing its target of one million trees for the year.
This is part of the corporate-wide Mahindra Hariyali initiative which has drawn up a mandate to plant a million trees every year across the country. Various group companies take part in this novel drive.
According to Rajeev Dubey, Chairman of CSR Council and President of Group HR, Mahindra and Mahindra, Mahindra Hariyali seeks to tackle the twin evils of climate change and sustainability. Launched in 2007, the project is a testament to the spirit of the Group commitment.
The Mahindra Group has partnered with the Naandi Foundation and Danone to plant 6 million trees in the Araku region of Andhra Pradesh.
Making the local Adivasi community a part of the endeavour, the project helps them create their own fruit and forest trees that will sustain the ecosystem.
According to Mahindra, this horticulture project is likely to impact the lives of over 60,000 people in 300 villages.
The six-million-tree project encompasses three million fruit and spice trees and three million coffee saplings to be planted on 6,000 hectares by 2015.
In addition to providing livelihood and nutritional security for the local people, the extra green cover is expected to enhance the wildlife habitat and biodiversity of the region.
All the group companies take part in the Mahindra Hariyali initiative which aims to plant a million trees every year across the country.
The plantation drive engages schools, colleges and other community venues and waste lands.