Thuvakkam (NGO, Valasaravakkam) and HCL Foundation have been awarded with the prestigious MCCI TAFE CSR awards 2022 by the esteemed The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The award ceremony was held recently on Jan. 31 was graced by C. K. Ranganathan, (Chairman and Managing Director, Cavin Kare Pvt. Ltd.). The award was given in recognition of the innovation, collaboration and social impact created in the Field of Environmental Sustainability & Ecological Balance through the Greenery – Urban Forest  project. As per the Forest Survey Report 2021 released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), 24.62% of India’s geographical area is covered by forests, which falls short of the target of 33% tree cover.
Thuvakkam, in collaboration with the HCL Foundation, under their HCL Harit greenery initiative, created a stretch of forest between the Indra Nagar MRTS and Kasturba Nagar MRTS stations. The first sapling was planted in 2021, with the help of volunteers and the general public. The nearly 1acre space now houses 7,050+ grown saplings, which have been taken care of by Thuvakkam.
Having over 40 species, the plants are all indigenous to the soil, and are of different varieties, such as flowering, shrubbery, and shade giving plants. The Greater Chennai Corporation has laid a bicycle path along the forest, which has proven to be a great attraction for the general public.
It has welcomed morning joggers, walkers, and people who wish to unwind and relax with nature. The 1st year celebration of the forest was held on Aud. 26 2022, with Hon. Dr. Tamizhachi Thangapandiyan MP Chennai (South) gracing the ceremony. She cut the ceremonial watermelon and intoned the importance of nature and green spaces for a community. The bicycle path was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu as a part of the 75th Independence Day celebration. Titled the Independence Day Amrut Mahotsav Park, it expanded the reach of the forest. As reiterated by C.K. Ranganathan, the project acts as a CSR initiative which creates a long term positive impact, as strengthening the social value. The MCCI award cast a spotlight on the need for such green spaces in the society. One that can improve the oxygen, boost biodiversity, and provide a space for the people to reconnect with nature. The Urban Forest at Buckingham Canal is but one collaboration between Thuvakkam and HCL Foundation. A much larger forest with more inclusive aspects such as benches, pathways, solar street lights and more is currently being developed at Sardar Patel Park, Metro Grand City, Kundrathur.
This will also bolster the Green Tamil Nadu mission, which is aimed at increasing the state’s forest cover to 33%. The Ecoscape as the project is called, will soon be a space for the local community to visit and engage with the environment away from the digital and concrete urban life.
Thuvakkam (NGO, Valasaravakkam) and HCL Foundation have been awarded with the prestigious MCCI TAFE CSR awards 2022 by the esteemed The Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The award ceremony was held recently on Jan. 31 was graced by C. K. Ranganathan, (Chairman and Managing Director, Cavin Kare Pvt. Ltd.). The award was given in recognition of the innovation, collaboration and social impact created in the Field of Environmental Sustainability & Ecological Balance through the Greenery – Urban Forest  project. As per the Forest Survey Report 2021 released by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), 24.62% of India’s geographical area is covered by forests, which falls short of the target of 33% tree cover.
Thuvakkam, in collaboration with the HCL Foundation, under their HCL Harit greenery initiative, created a stretch of forest between the Indra Nagar MRTS and Kasturba Nagar MRTS stations. The first sapling was planted in 2021, with the help of volunteers and the general public. The nearly 1 acre space now houses 7,050+ grown saplings, which have been taken care of by Thuvakkam. Having over 40 species, the plants are all indigenous to the soil, and are of different varieties, such as flowering, shrubbery, and shade giving plants. The Greater Chennai Corporation has laid a bicycle path along the forest, which has proven to be a great attraction for the general public. It has welcomed morning joggers, walkers, and people who wish to unwind and relax with nature. The 1st year celebration of the forest was held on Aud. 26 2022, with Hon. Dr. Tamizhachi Thangapandiyan MP Chennai (South) gracing the ceremony. She cut the ceremonial watermelon and intoned the importance of nature and green spaces for a community. The bicycle path was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu as a part of the 75th Independence Day celebration. Titled the Independence Day Amrut Mahotsav Park, it expanded the reach of the forest. As reiterated by C.K. Ranganathan, the project acts as a CSR initiative which creates a long term positive impact, as strengthening the social value.
The MCCI award cast a spotlight on the need for such green spaces in the society. One that can improve the oxygen, boost biodiversity, and provide a space for the people to reconnect with nature. The Urban Forest at Buckingham Canal is but one collaboration between Thuvakkam and HCL Foundation. A much larger forest with more inclusive aspects such as benches, pathways, solar street lights and more is currently being developed at Sardar Patel Park, Metro Grand City, Kundrathur.
This will also bolster the Green Tamil Nadu mission, which is aimed at increasing the state’s forest cover to 33%. The Ecoscape as the project is called, will soon be a space for the local community to visit and engage with the environment away from the digital and concrete urban life.