Dehradun-26 November 2022– HCL Foundation (HCLF), the CSR arm of HCLTech has been felicitated at the Ganga Utsav – The River Festival for its exemplary contribution towards the rejuvenation of the Ganga River catchment in Uttarakhand.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by Shri. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Government of India, and Mr. G. Asok Kumar, Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
As part of HCL Harit, one of its flagship programs, the HCL Foundation has partnered with NMCG and INTACH for the restoration of the Alakhnanda catchment through a plantation of Rudraksha and associated species. To date, the Foundation has planted more than 10,000 saplings across 45+ acres. The project has unleashed multiple ecological benefits including habitat restoration, prevention of soil erosion, ground water recharge, carbon sequestration, and enhancement of climate resilience through community engagement.
Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksh) grows in mixed broad-leaved forests of Himalayas and Himalayan foothills and is found associated with species like Oak. Moreover, the germination rate for Rudraksh is very low and erratic. Therefore, the plantation of Rudraksh is important for restoration of the ecosystem and conservation of the biodiversity in the Himalayan region.
The overall objective is to conserve sacred species – Rudraksh through afforestation in its native range. The afforestation will be enhanced by adding associated species – particularly Oak, etc.
The Rudraksh and associated species plantation advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 15) by ensuring the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, which will enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.
The project also advances SDG 13 which is about climate resilience measures, as the plantation will ensure the carbon emission reduction.
The Mid-Himalayan region falls under river Ganga basin. The plantation sites are within the catchment area of River Alakhnanda which confluences with river Bhagirathi in Dev Prayag and become River Ganga. The plantation in Mid-Himalayan Region will lead to the treatment of catchment of River Ganga.
Plantation will also create opportunities of livelihood generation for the indigenous population in the long run through sustainable harvesting methods. The leaves, flowers, and berries from the Rudraksha tree have medicinal value and are used in various Ayurveda treatments. Its dried berries can be used as beads, which are in huge demand across the world.
In addition to our work in Uttarakhand, we are also contributing to increasing the green cover and groundwater recharge in Gautam Buddh Nagar and Lucknow districts through our afforestation and water conservation projects in Yamuna, Hindon, and Gomti rivers basins. In these 2 districts, we have successfully planted 4.5+ lakhs saplings across 100+ acres of land and rejuvenated 52+ waterbodies that have resulted in recharge of ~9.04 bn liters of water. We have also completed the rejuvenation and beautification of six ponds in Samuday intervention gram panchayats of Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh and will initiate work on 12 more ponds in the coming days.
Aligning with the United Nations ‘Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, HCL Harit conserves, restores, and enhances indigenous environmental systems. With the participation and stewardship of local communities, it is implementing sustainable measures to combat climate change.
Spread across nine states and embracing ecosystems from mountains to the sea, HCL Harit is working with urgency to mitigate the impact of environmental degradation.
HCL Foundation (HCLF) was established in 2011 as the CSR arm of HCLTech. It is a not-for-profit- organization, that aims to alleviate socio-economic and environmental poverty and achieve inclusive growth and development. Various flagship programs and initiatives of the Foundation, endeavor to contribute towards national and international development goals, bringing about lasting positive impact on the people and planet, through long-term sustainable programs, ensuring equitable access, opportunities, and holistic development for all. Active community engagement ensures optimal long-term gains and upward accountability. HCL Foundation works through Life Cycle Based, Integrated Community Development Approach with a thematic focus on Education, Health, Skill Development & Livelihood, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction & Response. Child protective strategies, inclusion, and gender transformative approaches remain central in all initiatives of the HCL Foundation. Presently HCL Foundation is implementing five flagship programs, namely HCL Samuday & HCL Grant – Rural Development programs; HCL Uday & Clean Noida – Urban Development programs; HCL Harit (The Green Initiative) – Environment Action program and 4 Special Initiatives – Power of One, Sports for Change, HCL Foundation Academy and My E-Haat.
Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Vice President and Director, HCL Foundation
“We are honored to be felicitated for our efforts in fighting environmental degradation and climate change. The project has multiple ecological benefits in terms of habitat restoration, preventing soil erosion, and carbon sequestration, and enhancing climate resilience through community engagement. One of the highlights of the Ganga River catchment project has been the overwhelming participation of the local community and youth in spreading awareness about afforestation and other eco-conservation initiatives undertaken by the HCL Foundation. Rudraksha is a sacred tree and is revered by the people in our country. Its plantation has both ecological and economic benefits for the community.”
