Mahindra Hariyali adds 13 million trees to India’s green cover in 10 years

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group came together to plant a Rudraksha sapling at the Adhya Shankaracharya Garden in Worli, Mumbai.

Mahindra Hariyali was launched on October 2, 2007, the Group’s 62nd Founders’ Day, with the aim to add 1 million trees to India’s green cover every year.

Since then, Mahindra Hariyali has gained the momentum of a movement with employees as well as other stakeholders like customers, vendors and dealers undertaking tree plantation drives across the country, ensuring that the annual goal of 1 million trees has often been surpassed over the past decade.

“Climate is a reality and in Maharashtra we have been experiencing droughts across the State. If one compares the tree cover in a small country like Germany which is 33%, in Maharashtra it is just 21%. As part of our mission to give Maharashtra a new green cover, we plan to plant 50 crore trees in the next two years and thus plan to take the State’s cover to 33%. In keeping with Mahindra’s number of trees planted, in the next one year, we plan to plant 13 crore trees. We intend to plant fruit trees to not just aid tree plantation, but also provide alternative livelihoods to the farmers,” said Devendra Fadnavis, as he planted the 13 millionth sapling.

“I remember planting the very first sapling at the launch of Mahindra Hariyali a decade ago and I am delighted to see this programme take on the size and scale that it has achieved today. We are in the midst of a man-made crisis and it is our duty to strengthen Nature’s hand to help tackle climate change and meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement. The Mahindra Hariyali programme forms part of our contribution to the cause,” said Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group.

Congratulating Mahindra Group on this milestone of planting 13 million trees, Minister of State for Finance & Planning and Forest Department, Shri Sudhir  Mungantiwar stated, “I am delighted that a corporate like Mahindra has not just focused on profits, but has also given equal importance to the planet. It is noteworthy that a corporate like Mahindra has already begun work on greening of the State. I invite individuals and corporates to come forward and contribute to Mission Maharashtra’s greening efforts and whole heartedly support and participate in our Namami Chandrabhaaga Project.”

“From transforming an arid hilltop in Nashik to helping Adivasi farmers in the Araku Valley supplement their income through fruit trees, and making a difference in drought-prone Vidarbha, this programme has had a far-reaching impact which will be felt for generations to come. Today is also an occasion to recognise the efforts of all those employees who have translated intention into action with their incredible efforts over the past ten years, which has resulted in 13 million trees being added to the country’s green cover,” said Rajeev Dubey, Group President (HR & Corporate Services) & CEO (After Market Sector) Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.