HCL Foundation signs MoU with Lucknow Development Authority for afforestation and habitat improvement in the city

• HCL Foundation (HCLF), the CSR (corporate social responsibility) arm of HCL Technologies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) under its environment action flagship program, HCL Harit, for afforestation in Green Area (Green Connector) in Lucknow.

• This MOU will play a critical role in the plantation of native species and habitat improvement for birds, bees, and other animals. Through this partnership, HCLF will focus on reviving the urban lungs while helping biodiversity thrive.

• The MOU was signed between Shri. Awanindra Kumar Singh, Executive Engineer, Zone 1, LDA, and Ms. Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCL Foundation in the esteemed presence of Mr. Ranjan Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, Lucknow Division, Mr. Akshay Tripathi, IAS, Vice Chairman, LDA, and Mr. Pawan Kumar Gangwar, Secretary, LDA.

• Our planet faces significant threats in climate change and associated loss of native biodiversity. Urban and peri-urban areas are fast losing their green cover while paving the way for human settlements and development. It is essential to prevent further degradation and loss of habitat and simultaneously add to the green body through a holistic afforestation program.

• This initiative will not only help humans to live in a safer and greener environment. Still, it will also improve and strengthen native biodiversity and restore the rate of loss in the ecosystem.

• The partnership aims to address this issue as another step by HCL Foundation to deliver on its commitment toward habitat improvement and eco-restoration in urban and peri-urban areas aligning directly with SDGs and India’s goal to combat climate change.

• This long-standing partnership between the two entities ensures the parties’ objectives to develop urban forests and increase green cover to improve habitat, enhance biodiversity, and restore ecosystem services. The site Green Area (Green Connector) is spread across 25.45 acres and is designated as Khasra no: 279 ख up till ATI (Sultanpur Road) in front of HCL IT City Lucknow.

• HCL Harit is a distinct flagship program for environmental action, with the vision ‘to conserve, restore and enhance Indigenous environmental systems and respond to climate change in a sustainable manner through community engagement.’ All the interventions under HCL Harit follow ‘Participatory and Convergent Approaches’ for attaining the desired results aligned to the National Indicator Framework and Sustainable Development Goals.

• HCL Foundation is committed to conserving the environment and the Indigenous flora and fauna. It has been working toward providing affordable, reliable, sustainable, innovative solutions to combat climate change and its impact. In its endeavor to work toward the environment, HCL Foundation protects and promotes sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and conserves natural water bodies, including restoration and preservation of water bodies and others.

• About HCL Foundation- HCL Foundation (HCLF) was established in 2011 as the CSR arm of HCL Technologies. It is a not-for-profit organization that aims to alleviate socio-economic and environmental poverty and achieve inclusive growth and development. Various flagship programs and initiatives of the HCL Foundation endeavor to contribute toward national and international development goals, bringing about lasting positive impact on people and the planet through long-term sustainable programs, ensuring equitable access, opportunities, and holistic development for all. Active community engagement ensures optimal long-term gains and upward accountability. HCL Foundation works through Life Cycle Based, Integrated Community Development Approach with a thematic focus on Education, Health, Skill Development & Livelihood, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction & Response. Child protective strategies, inclusion, and gender transformative approaches remain central in all initiatives of the HCL Foundation. Presently HCL Foundation is implementing five flagship programs, namely HCL Saturday & HCL Grant – Rural Development programs; HCL Uday & Clean Noida – Urban Development programs; HCL Harit (The Green Initiative) – Environment Action program and 4 Special Initiatives – Power of One, Sports for Change, HCL Foundation Academy and My E-Haat.