Category: Sectors

The joint project will cover 5 villages of the Gudamalini block of Barmer, reaching over 7200 beneficiaries and 2300 households.

Ambuja Cement Foundation (ACF) has partnered with SLB Limited to implement Community Development Programs in the Barmer district of Rajasthan.

Under this partnership ACF aims to empower women through Self-Help Group (SHG) formation, reach out to adolescent girls and focus on bringing water tohousehold doorsteps by encouraging building rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.

The joint project will cover 5 villages of the Gudamalini block of Barmer, reaching over 7200 beneficiaries and 2300 households, ACF said in a statement.

Under the Women Empowerment initiative, ACF will focus on capacity building of women who belong to socially and economically weaker sections of the society.

The area in the desert state is a typical rural setting where females are restricted to household chores,have no say in family decision making and are primarily housebound. These women have no access to higher education and are financially dependent on male members of their families. They are even victims of dowry and domestic violence.

Due to these issues SLB’s CSR Lead, Shreya Sudhir and ACF’s Senior Management have decided to come together to mobilisethese rural women,organise them into groups, and support them in becoming self-reliant.

Talking about the new partnership, Ambuja Cement Foundation CEO Pearl Tiwari said, “We not only aim to empower women, but build their confidence to overcome the many varied social problems they face. The partnership helps us take a step forward towards our vision of rural prosperity and we look forward to empowering these women to become agents of change in their families and communities.”

The joint program intends to strengthen the existing 42 SHGs by conducting training program and exposure visits, along with initiatingincome generation activities. ACF will also introduce social security schemes, and encourage stakeholder meetings and workshops in the villages.

ACF will form groups of adolescent girls – providing training and awareness on areas like nutrition and health education, life skills, access to public services and child care practices, whilst also conductinghealth check-ups along with counselling and guidance on family welfare. Vocational training will also be provided to rural girls above the age of 16 under the National Skill Development Program.

To enhance year-round access to water, ACF will encourage households to set up Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting systems to capture rainwater and provide drinking water in their homes. Households will be offered support to build systems with a water storage capacity of 10,000 litres.

Barmer is an area outside the current functional geography of Ambuja Foundation. However, as a grassroots implementation agency with almost 3 decades of vast experience in remote rural areas, ACF is able to replicate its program models seamlessly. Rajasthan is one of the largest priority states for ACF’s community development work, thus both regional skills and networks will be harnessed to reach out to beneficiaries in Barmer.

Under the project, seven community rainwater harvesting ponds with a groundwater recharge potential of 214 million litres have already been constructed.

Global food and beverages major PepsiCo along with the Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI) today launched its Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management (SWRDM) program in Uttar Pradesh.

The comprehensive water resource development strategy aims at replenishing 100 per cent water used in the manufacturing operations and improving the health of local watersheds that are most at risk.

Under the project, seven community rainwater harvesting ponds with a groundwater recharge potential of 214 million litres have already been constructed, enabling groundwater recharge in seven neighboring villages, PepsiCo India said in a statement.

Uttar Pradesh Sugarcane Development and Sugar Industry Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary and PepsiCo India President Ahmed ElSheikh inaugurated one of the seven community rainwater harvesting ponds, located in Puthari, Chatta Tehsil, Mathura.

Mathura Lok Sabha MP and actress Hema Malini, ADI Managing Director Nardev Chaudhary were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, the UP Sugar Industry Minister said, “This initiative aligns perfectly with the Uttar Pradesh government’s Mission Amrit Sarovar, which aims to restore and invigorate water bodies in the state. PepsiCo India’s actions exemplify how corporate responsibility can be effectively harnessed for the greater public welfare.”

PepsiCo India President said, “PepsiCo India is excited to partner with Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI) to bring our Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management (SWRDM) strategy to Uttar Pradesh. We endeavor to be partners in progress and are dedicated to replenishing water in local watersheds and continue to raise awareness through community trainings and sustainable practices.”

ADI Managing Director Rajinder Nijjar said: “In partnership with PepsiCo India, we initiated a comprehensive study of all the villages under Chatta Tehsil to understand the concern of the area and accordingly plan a long-term sustainable water resource development & management strategy.”

The joint efforts towards these interventions would improve the water quality, groundwater scenario and enhance capacities of the communities for creation of livelihoods in the area, he said.

As part of this initiative, PepsiCo India and ADI have also been conducting training programs for over 450 farmers with the help of various training institutions and in house capacity building facilities. The training focuses on the need of water conservation and management, modern farming and modern technology awareness, and several other agronomic practices.

The project includes convergence with government programs and banks for holistic development including formation and empowerment of SHGs across the project area with over 40 members undertaking trainings including soap making, stitching and candle making.

Corporates like CNH Industrial and JK Tyre and Industries celebrate the 50th World Environment Day.

JK Tyre & Industries

According to JK Tyre & Industries Manufacturing Director Anil K Makkar, the company has been constantly instilling proactive steps towards a greener and sustainable future.

“In our progressive journey, sustainability is at the centre-stage. In the next five years, we hope to increase the percentage of power usage at our manufacturing facilities from 53% to 75% through renewable sources,”

By 2050, the company aims to become a carbon-neutral company by integrating innovative technologies and sustainable practices.

“While we at JK tyre are already a global benchmark on specific raw water consumption, our efforts to attain newer milestones will continue to save this precious drop of life and our environment,” Makkar said in a statement.

CNH Industrial

Narinder Mittal, Country Manager and Managing Director – Agriculture Business, CNH Industrial India & SAARC said the company is dedicated to breaking new ground in both innovation and environmental responsibility.

“From advanced agricultural machinery that promotes precision farming and reduces resource consumption, to our electric and hybrid machines that are redefining the construction industry, we are proud to play an active role in reducing emissions and conserving natural resources,” he said.

  Through ongoing efforts in India, including reducing carbon emissions through solar energy in our plants, supporting water conservation initiatives in nearby villages, preventing stubble burning through our crop residue management in more than 10 locations, and implementing the Miyawaki forest project with a plantation of over 10000 trees, the company is working towards a greener and more sustainable future, he said.

“This World Environment Day, we reaffirm our dedication to further adapt to sustainable practices” he added.

Pakka Ltd

Jagdeep Hira, Business Head of Pakka Ltd said: “In our product development process, we ensure that we minimise waste generation. We’re steadily moving towards the goal of net zero carbon emission, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

During the program, poster-making competition and flower-pot painting was conducted along with a rally to educate the villagers on the changing effects of the environment.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial Force Trust and PepsiCo Foundation organized a tree plantation drive in Sacholi village of Nandgaon block in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to save the environment and driving public awareness is the most effective way to bring this much-needed change,” said UP cabinet minister Nardev Chaudhary said on the occasion.

The villagers of the countryside must make a valuable contribution in planting trees and stop cutting down the trees to ensure that our earth is green and full of trees, he said and added planting trees is the most necessary action one can take to make the vision of green earth a reality.

PepsiCo India, Chief Government Affairs and Communications Officer Garima Singh said: “We encourage communities to join hands and make the sustainable protection of our environment a top priority, enabling us to achieve this goal.”

 Also present at the event, Rajkumar Pathak, Range Officer, Forest Department, urged citizens to take a pledge to plant trees every year and Vijay Kumar Agarwal, BDO of Nandgaon Block, educated the attendees on the importance of saving the environment, driving awareness among communities on protecting trees and plants.

 During the program, poster-making competition and flower-pot painting was conducted along with a rally to educate the villagers on the changing effects of the environment. Workers from Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial Force Trust also contributed to the various activities held on-ground to celebrate World Environment Day.

The trees are being planted across Aragonda village and will offset a carbon footprint of 3,800 tonne. Each sapling is geo-tagged to track maintenance and growth.

The Apollo Hospitals Foundation has decided to plant 90,000 trees in Aragonda village in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh in partnership with the state’s forest department in order reduce carbon emissions, preserve wildlife habitats, and improve air quality for local communities.

  “This initiative is a step towards mitigating the impact of climate change and ensuring a sustainable future,” Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy said in a statement.

  The tree planting initiative was taken as part of Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman’s 90th birthday celebration, said Upasana Kamineni Konidela, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals’ CSR.

  The state forest department will provide saplings native to the region, and the Apollo Foundation will manage plantation and maintenance.

  The plantation drive will use Miyawaki forest models to bring back native trees of the region and monitor survival rates through geo-tagging of each plant.

  According to the Foundation, the 90,000 trees are being planted across Aragonda to offset the Apollo Hospitals Groups Carbon footprint by 3800 tonne.

  This project aligns with Apollo Foundations’ long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability. The company remains dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting a greener future for a healthier tomorrow.

Global chemical and pharma major Bayer has joined Mina Guli as a campaign partner in its effort to address the global water crisis.

Mina Guli, water activist and ultramarathon runner, began the India chapter of the run on Sunday as part of her global ‘Run Blue’ campaign aimed at raising awareness about water crisis in the run-up to the UN Water Conference to be held in March this year.

  G20 sherpa and former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant flagged off the India’s leg of the run at Nehru Park here in the national capital, said German chemical and pharma major Bayer.

  Bayer has joined Mina Guli as a campaign partner in its effort to address the global water crisis.

  Guli, who is also CEO of non-profit organisation Thirst Foundation driving action on water, has completed 151 of the 200 marathons since May 2022 and moved into India. She will be running five marathons in India. After Delhi, she will run in cities like Varanasi, Thane, and Mumbai, Bayer said in a statement.

  After flagging off the marathon run at Nehru Park here in the national capital, Kant said: “Climate change is having a huge impact on countries around the world and especially on developing countries like India. Its adverse effects on agriculture, water resources, forests, etc are quite evident. Coupled with the rapid depletion of many critical natural resources, we face a challenging future”.

  Hence, it is imperative for countries to come together to achieve the sustainability goals set by the United Nations. India has continuously met its nationally defined contribution targets on sustainability and the government’s efforts at rapidly increasing access to clean water are bearing fruit, he said.

  “But water conservation will also require a collaborative effort between, companies, government, and civil society and Run Blue can be an important catalyst in building up this coalition,” he said, adding that the Run Blue campaign supported by Bayer will inspire people and encourage social transformation for a better tomorrow.

  Beginning her run in India, Guli said the world is experiencing acute water shortages and more than 2 billion people are without access to safe drinking water. India is home to about 18 percent of the world’s population but has only 4 percent of freshwater resources.

  “So, it is imperative to conserve water and use it judiciously – and to protect and restore the rivers, lakes, and wetlands that provide it. If we do not act now, all of us will face a severe water crisis. Through my runs in various cities of India and along the Ganga, I hope to raise awareness about water conservation and also inspire companies, governments, and communities to commit to conserving this precious resource – and the freshwater ecosystems that provide it and that underpin our societies and economies,” she added. Bayer said it Bayer has made conscious business choices in tandem with its commitment to water conservation and sustainable growth.

  In Asia, the partnership between IRRI and direct-seeded rice is contributing to economic and ecological sustainability. At the Vapi manufacturing site, Bayer has installed rainwater harvesting systems, zero liquid discharge wastewater treatment plants, and put an action plan in place to reduce the overall consumption of water.

  With the Better Life Farming initiative, Bayer is working with like-minded partners within the agri-industry to promote efficient water management systems and a sustainable ecosystem.

 Bayer Pharmaceuticals in South Asia Managing Director Manoj Saxena said the company’s decision to partner for the Run Blue campaign comes from its firm commitment towards sustainability, including water. “In our role as a global leader in agriculture and health, Bayer aims to usher in innovations and technologies that will drive sustainable usage of water and encourage its conservation,” he added.

To date, over 80 recycled benches have been deployed in schools across Bengaluru and the complete deployment is planned to be completed by the end of March.

Diversified conglomerate ITC Limited today said its recently launched initiative “YiPPee! Better World – Trash to Treasure” is not only creating awareness among students but also using the collected plastic waste to make recyclable benches and desks.

  The plastic waste collected will contribute towards the creation of 1000 sets of benches and desks made from recycled plastic which will be deployed in schools that are devoid of this infrastructure, the company said in a statement.

  To date, over 80 recycled benches have been deployed in schools across Bengaluru and the complete deployment is planned to be completed by the end of March, it added.

  The “YiPPee! Better World – Trash to Treasure” program is designed to bring behavioural change in 3.5 million students across 100 plus cities through on-the-ground awareness programs in schools about plastic waste, its impact on the environment, and strategies to minimize, reuse, and recycle.

  Through this initiative, students are also being encouraged to collect household plastic waste and deposit them at designated collection points in the school.

  Speaking about the initiative, Kavita Chaturvedi, Chief Operating Officer – Snacks, Noodles & Pasta, ITC Foods Division said: “ITC is a global exemplar in sustainability with multi-dimensional initiatives for environmental stewardship and supporting large scale livelihoods. Taking inspiration from our organizational efforts to support the creation of a circular economy for post-consumer packaging waste, Sunfeast YiPPee! has embarked on a journey to create community champions in schools to help reduce, reuse and recycle plastic waste.”

  The company is confident that the initiative will educate and motivate school children to make a conscious effort towards creating a better world, she added.

  Sunfeast YiPPee! is ITC Ltd’s well-known instant noodles and pasta brand.