Gramodaya Samajika Sansthan (GSS) collaborates with Diageo India to accelerate ‘Trees Outside Forest in Rajasthan’ (TOFR) programme in Alwar

• Two lakh trees will be planted under Trees Outside Forest in Rajasthan initiative to create mini forests in the Alwar district
• Four check dams constructed by Diageo India at the Ruparail River with an annual water replenishment capacity of 36,000 Cubic Meters during monsoons will help water the newly planted trees and improve availability of water during dry months
• The tree plantation project will help conserve water in Alwar which is aligned to Diageo’s focus on promoting Grain-to-Glass sustainability under Society 2030: Spirit of Progress plan.

Rajasthan, 05 July 2023: Gramodaya Samajika Sansthan (GSS) in partnership with the District Forest Department of Alwar and supported by Diageo India launched a project to plant 2 lakh trees under ‘Trees Outside Forest in Rajasthan’ (TOFR) programme in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Shri Apoorva Srivastava, District Forest Officer, Alwar graced the launch with his presence along with Mr. Kedar Shrimal, Director, Gramodaya Samajika Sansthan (GSS) and Mr. Jagbir Singh Sidhu, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo India at the Salpur village.

The tree plantation project will help convert grazing lands owned by the five panchayats Salpur, Goondpur, Poonkhar, Baleta, Sarangpur and Mohabbatpur some more Gram panchayats in Alwar district into mini-forests over the next 2-3 years. To safeguard the new plantations, strong fencing will be set up until the trees become self-sustainable.

In addition, the four check dams constructed by Diageo India on Ruparail river covering Bichhpuri, Mahuwa Khurd, Moreda and Salpur villages will not only help water the new plantations but also facilitates water conservation during monsoons in the catchment. The check dams spread across a 20-kilometer stretch have a water replenishment capacity of 36,000 cubic meters annually during monsoon season. Together the plantations and rainwater catchment facilities will provide environmental and social benefits to the nearby communities including reduced water shortage during dry months in these villages.

At the occasion, Shri Apoorva Srivastava, District Forest Officer, Alwar appreciated the efforts. He said, “The initiative undertaken by Gramodaya Samajika Sansthan (GSS) along with Diageo India is commendable. Diageo is the first company in Alwar to participate in the TOFR programme and we can see the dedication and commitment to conserving natural resources. These mini forests are going to serve our future generations who will not face flooding, drought, or water shortage to the extent that we have witnessed in the past. The trees will attract a healthy monsoon and their strong roots will absorb and hold water in it’s roots. These trees will help prevent soil erosion and will play a very important role in maintaining water table.”

Mr. Jagbir Singh Sidhu, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo India commented, “The project is aligned with Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress agenda, enabling ‘Grain to Glass’ Sustainability. Our efforts focus on preserving water for life and we are committed to driving collective action for the betterment of communities. Our partnership with the Gramodaya Samajika Sansthan (GSS) and the District Forest Department in Alwar is an important step in achieving this. The programme will facilitate the plantation of trees and water conservation which will be beneficial for the region, especially during the dry months.”

Mr. Kedar Shrimal, Director, the Gramodaya Samajika Sansthan (GSS) said, “Our vision to preserve water is shared with Diageo’s Society 2030 goals, which is why we went ahead with the partnership. It is important that more organizations become as passionate to bring about change. We have been working in this catchment since the past 5 years and have received tremendous support from the local panchayats. They have been extremely approachable and have ensured that they help us bring our goals to life, for which we are grateful and believe that together we can create a lasting impact.”

Diageo India continues to drive good water stewardship practices in Alwar Rajasthan. Recently Diageo India’s Alwar distillery, became the first distillery in Asia to be awarded the prestigious Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) certification. The project is aligned with Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress goals under Grain to Glass Sustainability efforts to preserve water for life in Alwar.

 

About Diageo India

Diageo India is among the country’s leading beverage alcohol company and a subsidiary of global leader Diageo Plc. The company manufactures, sells and distributes an outstanding portfolio of premium brands such as Johnnie Walker, Black Dog, Black & White, VAT 69, Antiquity, Signature, The Singleton, Royal Challenge, McDowell’s No1, Smirnoff, Ketel One, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan and Godawan, an artisanal single malt whisky from India. Headquartered in Bengaluru, our wide footprint is supported by a committed team of over 3000 employees, 37 manufacturing facilities across states and union territories in India, a strong distribution network and a state-of-the-art Technical Centre. Incorporated in India as United Spirits Limited (USL), the company is listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

For more information about Diageo India, our people, our brands, and our performance, visit us at www.diageoindia.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

 

 

About GSS

Gramodaya Samajik Sansthan is an NGO registered under Rajasthan Society Registration Act 28, 1958 that has been working since 1989 on various development issues like – WASH, Natural Resource Management,  Women Empowerment, Child Rights, Youth Development, Health, Education, Sustainable Livelihoods,  Rural Electrification, Digitalization of rural households in Rajasthan from the support of different national and international funding agencies, Government of Rajasthan, Government of India and different Corporate partner under CSR. Presently, GSS is changing lives of more than 3,00,000 households with various development projects in Rajasthan Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh and Telangana.

Till Now GSS worked with more than 10 Corporate partners.

For more information about Gramodaya Samajik Sansthan , visit us at http://www.gramodaya.in