BOARD’S REPORT 109 C. Environment Conservation Project Hariyali: In Financial Year 2024, the Mahindra Group planted a total of 22,72,026 trees, of which your Company planted 17,96,051 trees. As a result of this Project, the livelihoods of 4,545 tribal farmer families were enhanced. 19 varieties of fruit, forest and shade trees were planted, further contributing to biodiversity, and improving the quality of soil and crops. The farmers have received training in global organic farming protocols, which help rejuvenate the soil, enhance water retention, and increase soil organic carbon. Since inception, under this initiative a total of 2,51,33,314 trees have been planted. Of these 1,64,28,207 have been planted in Araku, supporting the livelihoods of over 27,500 tribal farmer families. Water Conservation: In Financial Year 2024, your Company supported 1,033 farmers through various interventions related to soil and water conservation, crop diversification and livelihood training/support initiatives contributing to integrated development of the rural catchment areas. Watershed Development Fund (WDF) Projects were undertaken in collaboration with NABARD in Igatpuri and Akole Block of Nashik and Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, for the development of Kadva River Basin, covering around 20 villages. Apart from the above Project, your Company has worked in other geographies and deployed region-specific water management interventions covering 6 States. Through all these initiatives, 505 water harvesting structures have been created and renovated, 5,219 lakh litres of water harvesting potential created, resulting in an increase in irrigation potential across 2,212 hectares. Cumulatively 15,126 hectares was covered under water management initiatives and 44,523 farmers and community members have benefitted through water conservation. D. Employee Volunteering Beyond the core CSR focus areas, employee volunteering is an important part of giving back and enabling others to Rise. Mahindra Group has a robust volunteering programme through the Employee Social Options (Esops) and MySeva platforms. While Esops volunteering events are organised by Mahindra Group, MySeva recognises individual acts of social responsibility undertaken by Mahindra Group employees. Employee volunteering initiatives encompass varied activities such as blood donation drives, tree plantation, cleanliness drives, health check-up camps, visits to Government schools, and diverse community engagement activities. Mahindra Group employees invested 3,28,677 person hours through Esops and 1,20,636 person hours were contributed through MySeva. Your Company’s employees contributed 59,485 person hours towards a variety of social causes, of which 59,282 person hours were invested through Esops and 203 person hours were contributed through MySeva. The second edition of Mahindra Volunteering Day was held on 5th December, 2023 wherein 12,183 enthusiastic volunteers contributed 33,345 person hours in various activities. During the last Financial Year, your Company was humbled to receive the following awards for its contribution to society. 1. All India Management Association (AIMA) - Project Hariyali was awarded the Runner Up Award at the 10th Business Responsibility Summit and Project Excellence Contest & Recognition (August 2023) 2. Brandon Hall Group Gold Award in the ‘Best Initiative for Philanthropy and Corporate Giving’ category for the Project Livelihood Generation through Farm Mechanization (August 2023) 3. ‘Best CSR Initiative’ at ITOTY Awards for Project Hunnar (July 2023) 4. 10th CSR Times Award by MOS Health & Family Welfare Government of India for Project Prerna (August 2023) 5. Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility for Project Paani (December 2023) 6. National Awards for Excellence in CSR & Sustainability under the category “Best CSR Impact Initiative” for Project Paani (September 2023) 7. “CSR Excellence in Water Conservation & Management” category at India CSR & Sustainability Conclave for Project Green Guardian (September 2023)
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