Natural Resource Management

The key to sustainability is the interdependence of conservation and livelihood and the creation of empowered grassroots institutions. A large part of the tobacco-growing region is subject to the vagaries of rain-fed agriculture – linked to widespread soil erosion and deteriorating fertility. Recovering ecological balance on a sustainable basis is a key focus area. Its natural resource management strategy integrates soil and water management and biomass regeneration, partnering farmers in watershed development and forestry initiatives rooted in community ownership.

Integrated Coastal Development

In the cyclone-prone coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, we collaborate with local NGOs to propagate an Integrated Coastal Development Programme. Multiple initiatives covering various villages encompass disaster preparedness training, environmental regeneration and support for income generation alternatives for communities made vulnerable by repeated devastation.

Action groups are formed and trained in measures to deal with weather calamities - water rescue, first aid, emergency grain banks and low cost reinforcements for housing.

In addition to fostering preparedness, we enable repletion of environmental assets by helping the fishing community to convert their beachside wastelands to casuarina forests. These plantations act as key buffer zones in this storm-ravaged region and their commercial viability helps to boost incomes for fishing communities with vulnerable livelihoods and depleted assets.

We support an entrepreneurship development programme for fisherwomen and youth and the formation of women’s micro-credit groups to generate alternative sources of livelihood for these communities.

Green Guntur

As part of our endeavour to add value to all our partner communities, a major initiative has to be undertaken to replenish tree cover in Guntur – the tobacco capital of India. Starting in 1997, the ‘Green Guntur’ project has resulted in the planting of more than 600,000 saplings, visibly adding to the green cover. Extensive greening programmes are being conducted in other areas of our operations too.

An India rich with potential and opportunity, jostling with an India of gross human and ecological deprivation, is the decisive context of our commitment to the ‘Triple Bottom Line’. Harnessing all its businesses to the creation of human equity and ecological integrity, making social contribution an essential criterion of all decision-making, ITC deploys enterprise to build social enablement and choice.

As India strives for a wider and deeper well-being, ITC is putting to work in thousands of communities across the land, a vital principle for building a new India.