Plants 2500 trees as part of project; becomes first company to join hands with Kerala Forest and Wildlife Dept for eco-restoration project
Thiruvananthapuram: Strengthening its efforts in the arena of nature and forest restoration and conservation, digital transformation solutions company UST has partnered the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department in an eco-restoration initiative at Kuttappara, near Peppara dam, Paruthippally range of the Thiruvananthapuram Forest division. The company, along with the state department, has planted 2,500 trees in the forest range as part of the eco-restoration project. Significantly, UST has to its credit the status of being the sole company that is collaborating with the Kerala state forest department on the eco-restoration project.
UST has channelled its efforts towards restoration of three hectares within a 98.5-hectare area of felled Acacia auriculiformis plantation, along the path to the Peppara sanctuary. With the efforts in full swing, it will be ensured that animal corridors in the Paruthippally forest range will undergo a phased conversion to a natural forest. The planned activities in the forest range include weed removal, tree planting, and the eradication of invasive species to improve forest health and ensure soil and water conservation.
The company has also prioritized the planting of locally indigenous species, tailored to each specific location. It will also factor in specific initiatives such as soil and water conservation in an effort to support the growth of native flora. This initiative is expected to act as a catalyst in significantly enhancing the ecosystem services and in creating numerous job opportunities.
Additionally, the project will also engage the local community in various activities, so as to ensure a sense of ownership and long-term commitment to the restoration efforts. UST, along with the forest department, will also organise educational programs and workshops to raise awareness about the significance of ecological restoration and the benefits it would bring to the environment and local communities.
“I’m indeed happy to see digital transformation solutions company UST partnering with the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department in this eco-restoration project at the Paruthippally forest range. Lending a hand in such noble efforts is itself testimony to the fact that UST cares about the environment and its inhabitants in a big way. I thank the company leadership and volunteers for taking time out to be part of an initiative that would, in the long term, benefit the forest areas and the local communities,” said Dr. P. Pugazhendi IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Kerala.
“The eco-restoration project at the Paruthippally forest range in the Peppara dam region has been given a fillip through the planting of 2,500 trees. The region will soon see a phased conversion into a natural forest, which will benefit the flora and fauna of the region. UST is thrilled to be spearheading such a noble initiative alongside the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department. The partnership will go a long way in ensuring good forest cover and also in terms of aiding local communities in the arena of eco-restoration,” said Sunil Balakrishnan, Chief Values Officer and Global Head – Center Operations, UST.
The planting of 2,500 trees in the Paruthippally forest range as part of the eco-restoration project was attended by Dr. P. Pugazhendi IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests; A. Shanavas, IFS, DFO, Thiruvananthapuram; Sreeju, Range Officer, Paruthippally Range; and Anilkumar, Range Officer, Paruthippally Range. The UST team was led by Sunil Balakrishnan, Chief Values Officer and Global Head – Center Operations, and comprised Shilpa Menon, Center Head, UST Thiruvananthapuram; Harikrishnan Mohankumar, Senior Director, Workplace Management and Operations; Vinod Rajan, Office of Values and Culture; Vineeth Mohanan, CSR Lead; Roshni Das K, PR & Marketing – Kerala; and Sunil Prabhakaran, UX Consultant.
The 2021 Eco-restoration Policy, implemented via public engagement, represents a landmark achievement for Kerala, underscoring the importance of a grassroots movement to mobilize public support for ecological restoration and environmental protection.
