New Delhi, December 04, 2023: AstraZeneca has announced $71 million in funding in India to plant and maintain an estimated 64 million plants and trees, as part of its global AZ Forest programme. The company is collaborating with Earthbanc, Earthtree, Worldview Impact (India), and Hill Farmers Shiitake Mushroom Coop Society on the ‘Meghalaya Reforestation and Sustainable Livelihoods Project’ (Regeneration Meghalaya), a 30-year regenerative horticulture and agriculture project in northeast India.
The project aims to support farmers restoring 22,670 hectares, supporting biodiversity and soil conservation, as well as climate and catchment health co-benefits. Many of the species will be suitable for farmers to sustainably produce agricultural and agroforestry non-timber commodities, including essential oils and foods that align with the State Government of Meghalaya Aromatics Policy, and crop management that aligns with the Organic and Natural Farming Policy.
Around 200,000 trees have been planted and now with the official project launch, soil and water conservation work is underway to enable further planting of millions of trees in 2024. Biophysical indicators such as biomass, soil organic carbon, land productivity and land cover will be monitored, in alignment with the UNCCD Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Global Mechanism, of which the Government of India is a key signatory.
The project will be the largest in a network of Circular Bioeconomy Alliance's (CBA) “Living Labs for Nature, People and Planet”. These connected initiatives, follow a science-based frameworkfor sustainable, resilient and locally appropriate landscape regeneration co-developed by the European Forest Institute (EFI), the CBA and AstraZeneca.
Juliette White, Vice President, Global Sustainability, AstraZeneca, said, “We’re proud to be increasing tree cover worldwide through our global AZ Forest initiative and to be partnering with experts to ensure reforestation that supports local communities, climate action, human health and nature. As part of our commitment to plant and maintain 200 million trees by 2030, in India, our collaboration with Earthbanc will restore nature in a degraded biodiversity hotspot while supporting farming livelihoods.”
Tom Duncan, Earthbanc, CEO, said, “This large-scale regeneration project is a very exciting opportunity that we are pleased to support in collaboration with our partners. We are impressed with the policies and programs of the State Government of Meghalaya and the Government of India, and we see the AZ Forest initiative with its focus on circular bioeconomy as very positive for the climate, communities, ecosystem health and a sustainable economy. We are looking forward to seeing this project launch and to helping create a healthy planet together.”
Louise Baker, Managing Director, Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), said, “This is a wonderful example of private sector leadership and joined up thinking in land stewardship. Earthbanc and its partners are fighting climate change and delivering for people and the land at the same time. The project’s strong focus on developing sustainable value chains that ensure farmers’ livelihoods will also mean land degradation stops as land cover, productivity and soil organic carbon all increase. Everyone benefits!”
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said, “I congratulate AstraZeneca and everyone involved in their conservation of forests and biodiversity across the world. Protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing nature is an important element of India’s ambitious carbon sink target and is a UK priority at the COP28 climate summit. Addressing climate change requires action from us all, everywhere, from companies to governments to citizens.”
Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “In the heart of Meghalaya, a green revolution is underway 'Regeneration Meghalaya' is not just a project; it is a commitment to plant hope, nurture sustainability, and grow a future where nature and agriculture thrive in harmony. Let us join hands with these determined associations as we plant 64 million trees and plants across 22,000 hectares. Together, let us cultivate a legacy of abundance.”
