Conserving approx. 3 million existing trees and augmenting them by 200 thousand to strengthen the lungs of nature.
Pledge by BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED (BHEL)
This pledge will take place from 2021 to 2030
Pledge overview
BHEL premises are rich in flora and fauna. As per a rough estimate, the total number of trees in BHEL campuses, which are located in different part of India, is nearly 3.0 million. This not only provides a healthy verdant cover, but results in lower temperature in our campuses compared to surrounding areas. Further, we are going to augment the green cover through plantation of additional 200 thousand saplings during the decade ending 2030.
To develop the entire ecosystem related to this, we intent to augment the number of rainwater harvesting structures across our premises. Also, we will explore creation of new water bodies in our premises with an aim to further enhance the biodiversity.
11 of our Manufacturing Units are not letting out any effluent outside their premises and the total waste water generated in the factories are treated and reused in different processes or used for irrigating the green cover. Due to this strategy, no additional freshwater intake may be required for maintaining the green cover.
Miyawaki Forests are being developed in campuses of some of our Manufacturing Units, which are likely to grow into dense urban forest patches by the end of the decades and act as a cradle for biodiversity. We shall be selecting the local species of plants for plantation, which will enhance the survival rate of planted saplings and ensure their harmonious growth as part of the local ecosystem. We shall be deploying adequate resources in terms of infrastructure as well as manpower for maintaining and making the plantation become self-sustainable in long term.
Actions in this pledge
Conserving trees and forest landscapes - 3,000,000 trees
To enhance the existing 3.0 million trees' survival chances, we will plant new saplings and develop associated ecosystems by doing 4 numbers of Miyawaki Forests. Our intermediate goals are:
Restoring and growing trees and forest landscapes - 200,000 trees
For augmenting the verdant cover in BHEL campuses annual targets will be fixed at company level and same will be further distributed among different Manufacturing Units. There will be periodic monitoring and reviews of the same at Corporate Office level.
Enabling activities for trees and forest landscapes
By the end of 2027, we will develop inventory of trees and start the accounting to ensure that inventory of trees is maintained during and beyond the pledge period.
Our ecologically and socially responsible approach
We will be using the local species suitable for the microclimatic condition of each location so that no invasive species are planted during such activities. Further plantation will be carried out on vacant spaces available within BHEL campuses, thus in no way these activities will be having any adverse impact on any of the communities or societies in vicinity.
The protocol being used is totally internal to the organization. It includes emphasis on selecting local species, advance preparation for plantation before arrival of monsoon rains and monitoring of the plantation and other related activities.
Our locations
We are working at locations across India.
The intended activities will be taken up at the following 17 campuses of BHEL: