Mumbai, June 18, 2024: In the heart of Maharashtra’s tribal interiors, Tata Motors has embarked on a transformative mission to sow saplings of hope for local communities. Under the ambitious One Million Plantation project, 1.5 million fruit and forest saplings till date have taken root in the Palghar district, covering 13,000 acres across eight blocks, breathing life into the once-barren lands.
As part of the Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP), Tata Motors’ initiative not only curbs distress migration but also generates income for local communities by providing sustainable income; leveraging MNREGs scheme for sapling aftercare, and later through the produce sales. So far, more than 1.5 Million Plantation has benefitted 13,000 farmers in the region by transforming 13,000 acres of un-utilised farmland into a productive Wadi. It has also provided them nutrition-rich fruits, thus improving health and nutrition levels of the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the region.
In this collaborative model Tata Motors supports the sapling cost, technical support and trainings are provided by the BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD) and a significant part of the project cost is funded by the government via the MNREGs as wage for aftercare of the saplings. The wages are directly transferred to the farmer’s account, which depends on the survival rate of the saplings.
Vinod Kulkarni, CSR Head at Tata Motors, said, "The One Million Plantation initiative can be viewed as a twin-pronged strategy – to strengthen our economy and ecosystems – by nurturing both the land and the lives. This initiative symbolises our firm dedication to supporting Indian tribal communities by creating sustainable livelihoods. As the monsoon sets in, we are on course to add another One Million Trees to the Palghar district’s natural habitat. Our collaboration with BISLD and the state government demonstrates our shared vision and commitment towards nation building. Together, we are not just planting trees; we are cultivating hope for a greener and more prosperous tomorrow."
Earlier, in 2018-19, Tata Motors had launched a pilot of the livelihood-based Wadi model, which comprised tree-based farming involving the planting of fruit and forestry trees along with appropriate intercrops on barren or underused land. Under the pilot, 100 fruit trees (primarily mango and cashew) and 100 forestry trees were planted per acre in Palghar district. The success of the Wadi model inspired its replication at scale through the One Million Plantation drive. Both initiatives have also served the dual purpose of creating revenue sources for the communities, as well as enriching the biodiversity in the project areas.
