JSW Foundation, the social development arm of JSW Group, has planned to spend ₹4.69 crore and ₹2.26 crore, respectively, for developing Daroji Reserve Forest and Tornagal Reserve Forest in the next five years.
The foundation has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Forest Department to implement its development initiatives in the reserve forests.
According to sources in the JSW Group, a leading business group in the country, the foundation will spend ₹4.69 crore for the Daroji Reserve Forest that is spread over 82.72 square kilometres.
The projects include the development of inspection path, islands for birds, periphery plantation, afforestation, plantation over islands, bamboo plantation, chain-link mesh, watch towers and anti-poaching camps and providing rapid response vehicle, mechanical boats, safety equipment, fire protection equipment, fire extinguishers, camera trap, binoculars, night vision equipment, GPS systems, spotting scopes and drones.
The projects for Tornagal Reserve Forest includes boundary consolidation, construction of inspection path, gully checks, check dams, stagger trenches and anti-poaching camps and providing rapid response vehicle and fires protection equipment at a cost of Rs. Rs. 2.26 crore.
As per the MoUs, which will be in operation for five years ending in 2027, the projects will be executed and managed by the Forest Department under the supervision of a Joint Steering Committee that will comprise the representatives of both JSW Foundation and the Department of Forest.
Chairperson of JSW Foundation Sangita Jindal, in a media release, said that the partnership reaffirmed JSW Foundation’s inclusive vision to conserve and nurture earth. The MoUs, she added, can help strengthen biodiversity and enable a safe habitat for local flora and fauna.
“I am delighted that a long-awaited partnership with the Forest Department is now being cemented. As our gratitude to nature, this pact can help contribute to the mitigation of the impact of climate change. JSW Foundation is dedicated to conserving the environment and its biodiversity with indigenous flora and fauna. We believe that business, social and environmental responsibility goes hand in hand. Therefore, JSW Foundation’s initiatives to preserve, restore, enrich and promote biodiversity are in sync with our JSW Group’s sustainability focus of reducing our carbon emissions,” she said.
President of JSW Steel Vijayanagar Works P.K. Murugan stated that the MoUs will throw open new vistas of positive changes in the area of flora and fauna conservation along with overcoming concerns related to climate change.
“The MoUs are a platform to further enhance and stimulate the best environmental practices. This private-public partnership will also strengthen and expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership,” he said.
