Gurugram, India, September 28, 2020: AXA XL in
India has partnered with charity, Give Me Trees Trust, to embark on an
ambitious three-year project to plant 30,000 trees and create a biodiversity
park in Jaunapur, Chhatarpur, New Delhi.
A healthy biodiversity
helps to breakdown and absorb pollution and provide resilience to climate
change. The new park in Delhi is expected to release 2,400,000 kgs of Oxygen per year, with the fledgling forest becoming self-sufficient
after two years. Additionally, a healthy biodiversity helps with the management
of ground water levels, preventing flash flooding and enriches the quality of the
soil.
Preserving biodiversity
is a key element of AXA’s corporate responsibility strategy. AXA XL will play its part in delivering
on this through this project, by helping to develop and monitor the land with
the Give Me Trees Trust and also by assisting with fundraising for raw
materials like seeds, soil and gardening equipment.
Project Aranya, which launched in April, has already
facilitated the planting of 5,000 trees, with socially-distanced site visits for AXA XL employees planned
in the coming weeks. A key aim of the project is to engage the local community
and increase awareness of sustainability, therefore the charity will be hosting
several webinars which will be open to the public.
“Delhi has a significant
issue with air pollution and unsanitary water and this initiative will help to keep
ecosystems healthy, creating a
protected space where nature can thrive,” says Derek Nazareth, Head of Global Operations and Country Head, AXA XL in India.
“Conservation and sustainable development strategies
are integral in preserving biodiversity, and this project, which has been driven
by our Think Green Team in India, is a great example of the positive local
actions we can take to deliver our global corporate responsibility goals.”
Mr. Nazareth adds: ‘I would
personally like to thank all our AXA XL colleagues who have, despite COVID-19 restriction,
continued to find ways to support this initiative from home by growing saplings
for the charity.”
Swami Prem Parivartan also known as
Peepal Baba, Founder, Give Me Trees Trust, adds: “AXA
XL is working alongside us as our corporate partner to develop not just a
biodiversity park but to create a whole new ‘sustainable’ experience for its
employees. The Company’s fundraising campaign, volunteer involvement, workshops
and community engagement activities will have a long-lasting impact on this urban
forest.”
