OREANDA-NEWS. September 25, 2012. As part of its sustainability efforts, Tata Power’s Khopoli team has initiated a tree plantation drive at the catchment areas of Shirwata and Kundli lakes in Maharashtra. The aim of this plantation drive was to plant 26,000 bamboo saplings in these areas. This has been inspired in line with company’s strategic intent of achieving 26,000MW by 2020.

Few years ago, the Khopoli team started this journey of tree plantation by collecting 300kg of bamboo flower seeds and raised a nursery of around 10 lakh bamboo saplings in their nurseries at Lonavla and Kundli. Since then the saplings are planted every year. This year, around 26,000 saplings, which are now 3.5 years old with well-developed rhizome, were planted. These plants stand a better chance of survival. Bamboo was chosen as the preferred plant because of its multi-utility benefits. It helps control soil erosion, acts as biomass for power generation and is used in making furniture and construction of houses, boats and bridges, and manufacture of toys, handicrafts, clothes, etc.

Speaking on the community development initiatives, Mahesh Paranjpe, head, hydro power station, Tata Power, said, "Tata Power's philosophy is built on a strong sustainability agenda. Through this initiative, we intend to encourage tree plantation and preservation of nature to maintain ecological balance by communities in our areas of operations. The trees planted will also act as a source of income generation for our communities."

The initiative saw enthusiastic participation from employees volunteering from Khopoli and Bhivpuri hydro stations along with their family and community members. The participation of these members contributed to the amazing success of this initiative.

The tree plantation drive was conducted as part of Tata Power’s endeavour to constantly improve its carbon footprint and encourage communities to help to maintain the ecological balance in and around their surroundings.