In recent years, rapid industrialization and urbanization have resulted in the widespread cutting of trees to fulfil land needs. The persistent deforestation has led to significant environmental degradation, air quality, and biodiversity.  

India had a huge forest cover but continuous cutting down of trees for infrastructure expansion has led to a massive forest cover loss. India lost a whopping 144,000 hectares of forest in 2023. Apart from deforestation, forest fires are also one of the causes of forest cover loss. In response to the increasing forest cover loss, various tree plantation initiatives are held in India. 

The IFSR report of 2021 suggested that forest cover in the country in 2021 was 7.13 lakh square kilometres. This is an increment of 5,516 square kilometres between 2017- 2024. However, the problem is still not resolved and there is a need to plant more trees to increase the forest cover.

Keeping the need for and importance of tees, Cadila Pharmaceuticals recently organized a community engagement program. The company conducted a rally, a tree plantation drive, and a cleanliness drive at Bhatt village, Ahmedabad. 

It was conducted in remembrance of the company’s founder Shri Modi’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, environment, and community welfare. The event was successful because of the sincere motive and efforts behind it.

The Start

Cadila Pharmaceuticals started in 1951, is an Indian multinational pharma company having headquarters in Ahmedabad. The company was started by I.A. Modi. The company mainly deals in APIs and generic drugs. It is well known for providing high-quality and affordable solutions in medicine and health treatment. 

Cadila Pharmaceuticals always believed in a development approach that promotes environmental sustainability. The company believes in giving back to society which forms the basis of its CSR unit. Through the various CSR activities, Cadila Pharmaceuticals empowers the needy with better health, access to education, and enhanced employment and livelihood opportunities.

Cadila Pharmaceuticals recently conducted a community engagement program to remember its founder I.A. Modi on his death anniversary. The program mainly carried the message of community unity, environmental sustainability, and cleanliness of surroundings. 

The event demonstrated the company's commitment to uphold the values of its founder and promote a sustainable, cleaner, and greener environment for the community.

Efforts

Cadila Pharmaceuticals always seeks to participate in various CSR activities in the community's interest, especially in areas of education, rural health, women empowerment, rural development, and the environment. The company's employees are always encouraged and ready to give their time, support, and expertise to support underprivileged communities.  

The community development welfare program organized by Cadila Pharmaceuticals at Bhatt village was led by the company’s Employee Experience team. It was accompanied by Cadila employees and around 300 students from S. L. Patel School. The rally was conducted through Bhat village making people aware of environmental sustainability and ways to preserve it. 

This was followed by a comprehensive cleaning drive at S. L. Patel School. The cleanliness drive gave a clear message on the importance of cleaner surroundings. It showed great enthusiasm to the students demonstrating their willingness to keep their surroundings clean. Cleaner surroundings foster a healthy environment around and instil the values of cleanliness and respect for the environment.

The cleaning drive was followed by a tree plantation activity. Cadila Pharmaceuticals employees and students actively participated in the plantation. They planted saplings on the school premises, symbolizing a sustainable environment for present and future generations. 

The efforts made by the employees of Cadila Pharmaceuticals showed the company’s unwavering commitment to social welfare and sustainability through community engagement and learning.

Impact Created

Cadila Pharmaceuticals understands the importance of cleanliness and plantation to the community. The company and its employees showed enthusiasm towards the community engagement program held in remembrance of its founder.

It had a significant impact on the villagers. Besides, cleanliness and tree plantation improve air quality and reduce air pollution. Trees will provide shelter to the animal and plant species in and around the village. This will also lead to a balanced ecosystem within the village and the surroundings.

Additionally, a greater number of trees provide shade to protect the village people from the sun's rays. The initiative will also be useful for soil health. It prevents soil erosion and controls floods. The trees will also restore the groundwater level which will improve soil fertility and prevent droughts in Bhatt village. 

The tree plantation conducted by Cadila Pharmaceuticals is one of the environmentally friendly activities that will restore the village environment. The cleanliness drive during the program will raise villagers' awareness about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness and its effect on well-being and health. 

It will also reduce waste in the surroundings and make people understand their responsibility to keep the environment clean. Such cleanliness activities also prevent the waste from entering the nearby water bodies which can harm the wildlife. Overall cleanliness and tree plantation activities by Cadila Pharmaceuticals maintained villagers' physical and mental health and made them feel good.

Way Forward

At Cadila, the company's actions speak and show its commitment to community welfare. Its charitable institutions, Kala Budh Public Charitable Trust and Indrashil Kaka-Ba work tirelessly to empower the needy with health, education, and livelihood. Its CSR activities are also conducted by collaborating with NGOs, government, and associated stakeholders. In the future, the company is committed to conducting similar activities that aim toward social well-being. 

Cadiila and its employees are interested in actively participating in various social welfare activities. Apart from the environmentally friendly activities, the company also promises to conduct more initiatives that promote rural health, education, and women empowerment. 

The company also supports education by offering food in schools through a midday meal scheme that motivates kids from villages to attend school. Cadila Pharmaceuticals plans to expand its CSR activities by initiating more community welfare programs.