Nashik/Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 23: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a major public sector company, has started an exciting new project to bring back forests in the Nashik District of Maharashtra. This project, in partnership with the Forest Department of Nashik, will use drones to plant seeds and revive damaged lands.

BPCL plans to drop 200,000 seedballs using drones in remote and hard-to-reach areas. This smart approach will help fix problems caused by cutting down trees and damaging the land, which have hurt the area's wildlife, climate, and local communities.

Biju Gopinath, Executive Director Pipelines at BPCL, said, "We believe in the power of innovation and community. Our drone-based reforestation project in Nashik is a big step towards restoring nature and helping local communities. By using advanced technology and involving local residents, we aim to create a sustainable environment that benefits both the ecosystem and the people. Together, we can build a greener and healthier future."

The project involves careful planning, including choosing the right sites using mapping tools, getting the community involved, making seedballs, and using drones to plant them. It targets 100 hectares in three forest areas in Nashik District: Sinnar Nashik Range, Hivre Village, and Ganga Mahalungi Village.

The main goals are to bring back forests by planting 200,000 seedballs, improve local wildlife, and boost the health of the ecosystem. Trees to be planted include Karanja, Neem, Sagwan, Indian Rosewood, Khair, Black Plum, and Mango. The project also aims to involve local people in making seedballs and managing the land, raising environmental awareness, and creating job opportunities. It will use special drones for efficient planting and advanced systems to monitor progress.

This project not only aims to restore the environment but also to help local communities by providing training and jobs in sustainable practices. By combining scientific research, new technology, and community participation, BPCL aims to create a model that can be used in other areas facing similar challenges. This reforestation project is a major step towards making Nashik greener and improving the lives of its residents.

BPCL's corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts have always supported various social causes, including education, environmental care, health and sanitation, skill development, and community development. This reforestation project fits with their focus on environmental sustainability, showing the company's commitment to making a positive and lasting impact on society.

Bharat Petroleum, a top global company, is the second-largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of India's main energy companies. The company refines crude oil and sells petroleum products, with operations in both the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. Bharat Petroleum's refineries in Mumbai, Kochi, and Bina have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 million tons per year. Its marketing network includes many installations, depots, energy stations, aviation service stations, and LPG distributors.

The company is focused on sustainable solutions and plans to offer electric vehicle charging stations at around 7000 energy stations over the next five years. BPCL is also working on becoming a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, reducing its emissions significantly. Bharat Petroleum's vision is to be a respected global energy company, using talent, innovation, and technology to achieve this goal.