BACKGROUND
The Western Ghats are part of the four biodiversity hotspots in India and thus have a remarkable number of endemic plant and animal species, many of which are endangered. They are also home to a staggering number of people whose lives are intertwined with the ecological services that the Ghats provide. However, this diverse biological haven is under tremendous pressure from a variety of human activities that are resulting in loss of habitat, leading to extinction of rare and endangered species.
IMPLEMENTATION
Tata Power has been planting tree saplings in its catchment areas since 1975. Over 8-9 lakh seeds and saplings are planted every year with the help of Company employees, local villagers, school and college students and other volunteers. The company also participated in the Government of Maharashtra's tree plantation program.
Aqua Diversity
Study of Lakes
Tata Power has six hydro lakes in the Northern Western Ghats and periodic studies have reported that all the lakes are very rich in biodiversity, and the Company has been successful in protecting them for the last 100 years.
Base lining & Documentation
of Biodiversity
Over the years, Tata Power has done a lot of work for mapping, recording and documenting the flora and fauna. This has been published in the form of three books on Birds, Orchids and Reptiles of Western Ghats.
Orchid Propagation
Five endemic and endangered species of orchids have
been selected for multiplication with the help of tissue culture. These experiments have been underway for the
last 3 years and are demonstrating encouraging results.
Mahseer Conservation Program
A flagship program of Tata Power, it was launched with a triple fold objective
CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, IMPROVEMENT OF HYDRO LAKES AND EMPLOYMENT GENERATION FOR LOCAL VILLAGERS
As part of the conservation program, Tata Power hosted an International Conference on Conservation of the hump-backed Mahseer with global experts. Numerous programs such as 'Pledge for Mahseer' and 'Save the Mighty Mahseer', have been undertaken by the Company to create awareness about endangered species.
IMPACT
With consistent focus, Tata Power has conducted its business across the Western Ghats in harmony with nature, and has been successful in developing and implementing biodiversity programs that will continue to reap benefits in the years to come.
Since 1975, the Mahseer Conservation Program has produced millions of fish seeds, which have been distributed to various states in India. Tata Power has also trained over 300 fishery scientists from India and held 5 workshops at the National level with a view of exchanging knowledge.
Tata Power has also conducted a comprehensive assessment of the critically endangered Hump-back mahseer, which made Tata Power the only business globally to have helped a critically endangered fish species to get a scientific name through IUCN listing.
Tata Power was awarded the 'Best Business Practices' Award for Mahseer Conservation program at the ACEF Leadership Awards.
