AstraZeneca India launched its global campaign ‘AZ forest’ in Bangalore with a commitment to plant 5000 trees in the open jail area, Devanahalli. As a part of this initiative, the company joined hands with SankalpTaru Foundation, an IT enabled NGO, spreading greenery with its core philosophy of “planting trees for the people, by the people”.

The event was flagged off by Mallikarjuna Maali, Superintendent, Open Air Jail, Devanahalli, Bengaluru in the presence of other officials from the jail authority, SankalpTaru Foundation, along with AstraZeneca’s leaders and employees.

AZ Forest initiative by AstraZeneca looks forward to restoring forests and biodiversity by planting trees worldwide in partnership with local governments and non-profit organizations. Globally this initiative aims to plant and maintain 50-million trees worldwide by the end of 2025. All the 5000 trees being planted under this program in Bangalore, will be smartly geo-tagged enabling individualistic tracking of each plant remotely. This unique model will help in ensuring that the growth and management of a plant is well monitored, and timely interventions can be planned as and when required.

Speaking on this occasion, Gagandeep Singh, Managing Director, AstraZeneca India said, “In-keeping with our sustainability priorities of Ambition Zero Carbon and environmental protection, on the whole, we are glad to share this milestone with you. We recognise the strong connection between a healthy planet, healthy people and we work to foster environments where lives can thrive and breathe easy. Through this partnership, we are committed to planting saplings and taking care of them for a period of next few years till the time the plantation can sustain on its own. We are glad to have found support from the Jail authorities in allowing us to undertake this drive in their premise which can help in building a positive sensation watching these plants grow and gain strength”.

Commenting on this partnership, Priyanka Negi, COO, SankalpTaru Foundation said, “Reforestation helps sequester carbon dioxide, prevents disease through combatting air pollution and supports the restoration of biodiversity. We all understand that tree plantation in a sustainable manner not only reduces the risks of natural disasters but has multiple social and economic benefits for communities around them.”

AZ Forest programme is also a part of AstraZeneca’s work to address climate change and support the WEF’s 1t.org – The Champions for a Trillion Trees platform. In 2021, the AZ Forest initiative was first introduced in countries like Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom and Scotland along with their global partner One Tree.