15,000 Trees Adopted by HDFC Life Insurance for 2020-21
Project Purpose
Trees for Rural Communities™
Location
The project involves plantation of local tree species on the revenue wastelands and catchment of river Mahi in Dhnudhava and Sarnal villages of Kheda district, Gujarat, India.
Aim
Groundwater
Recharge
Increase in
Green Cover
Generation of
Rural Employment
Control Soil Erosion
Improvement of
Wildlife Habitats
Why trees?
The banks of the river Mahi experiences massive flooding and soil erosion. This results in immobility, crop loss and renders the land uncultivable, according to the Foundation for Ecological Security. The water results in the formation of deep ravines thus making the cropland infertile. The organisation also mentions the importance of trees in checking the problem. The trees planted to hold the soil together thus preventing it from being washed away and increase the water holding capacity of the soil, mentions the World Agroforestry Centre.
The project area is endowed with an enormous variety of bird species, reptiles, fish species, amphibians and tree species. The 9th May, 2016 article in the Times of India, ‘36 animal, plant species endangered in Gujarat’, mentions the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list of endangered species in Gujarat, including the black mahseer, golden mahaseer, leatherback sea turtle, Indian white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, red-headed vulture, steppe eagle, greater adjutant- stork, great Indian bastard, lesser florican, sociable lapwing, spotted greenshank, forest spotted owlet, dhole, caracal, blue whale, fin whale and Indian wild ass. The local trees planted provide habitat to these species.
Social Impact
The trees planted will improve the local environment by conserving the soil against the severe erosion and will recharge the ground-water. This will, in turn, improve the environment and contribute to the agricultural output. The trees will hold the soil, preventing rapid flow of water thus checking the erosional process, controlling the formation of ravines, preventing siltation in the river and protecting the water bodies. The local species will provide Non-Timber Forest Products to provide livelihood opportunities to the community. Alongside the community, the rich biodiversity of the area will also benefit from the conservation of the soil, water and the natural habitat of the area.
Adoption Summary
Name of the Company
Number of Trees Adopted
Year
IPCA Laboratories Ltd
10,000 trees
FY 2018-19
Blue Dart Express Ltd
36,000 trees
FY 2016-17
Group Landmark
26,000 trees
FY 2016-17
MakeMyTrip Foundation
20,000 trees
FY 2019-20
Tree Species
Common Name
Botanical Name
Common Name
Botanical Name
Common Name
Neem
Botanical Name Azadirachta indica
Common Name
Drumstick
Botanical Name Moringa oleifera
Common Name
Karanj
Botanical Name Pongamia pinnata
Common Name
Bamboo
Botanical Name Bambusa vulgaris
Common Name
Indian Elm
Botanical Name Holoptelea integrifolia
Common Name
Kanji
Botanical Name Acacia spp.
Common Name
Velaga
Botanical Name Limonia acidissima
Common Name
Kashid
Botanical Name Peltophorum pterocarpum
Target Completed
Planters
HDFCLife has
GIFTED A Thicket of 5 Trees
HDFCLife has
GIFTED A Thicket of 5 Trees
HDFCLife has
GIFTED A Thicket of 5 Trees
Audit for Kheda, Gujarat
INDEPENDENT AUDIT
Kheda, Gujarat
Excerpt
Total trees planted were 36,000 in 5 villages in 2017-18. One main sapling is planted along with 3 seeds of the local species in order to survive in the given ecological conditions. In Sarnal Village, a strategy of planting 1 Limonia Acidissima (Kothi) between 10 Holoptelea Integrifolia (Kanji) is adopted. This has ensured the survival rate of 94%.
The planting has been carried out as per the plan and the approximate number of saplings physically verified is in agreement with the number of saplings planted (as per the report of Grow-Trees.com’s planting partner). We are of the opinion that looking to the steps taken by FES i.e. location of the site, encouragement to planting and positive response from the village to save the planting, the result of the activity will be affirmative.