In the heart of Maharashtra’s tribal interiors, Tata Motors has embarked on a transformative mission known as the One Million Plantation initiative. This ambitious project aims to plant saplings to benefit local communities in the Palghar district. To date, 1.5 million fruit and forest saplings have been planted, covering 13,000 acres across eight blocks, revitalizing once-barren land.
As part of the Integrated Village Development Programme (IVDP), Tata Motors’ initiative not only curbs distress migration but also generates sustainable income for local communities. By leveraging the MNREGS scheme for sapling aftercare and later through produce sales, the project has benefitted over 13,000 farmers. It has transformed 13,000 acres of unused farmland into productive orchards, providing nutrition-rich fruits and improving the health and nutrition levels of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the region.
In this collaborative model, Tata Motors supports the sapling costs, while technical support and training are provided by the BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD). A significant portion of the project cost is funded by the government through the MNREGS as wages for the saplings’ aftercare. The wages are directly transferred to the farmers’ accounts, based on the survival rate of the saplings.
Vinod Kulkarni, CSR Head at Tata Motors, stated, “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 symbolizes 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 launched a pilot of the livelihood-based Wadi model, which involved tree-based farming with 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 and enriching the biodiversity in the project areas.
