• Mass plantation in Gwalior, Babina, Sagar, and Ahmednagar
• Focus on restoring ecological balance through green cover

05 August 2025, India – Standard Chartered and Haritika, a non-governmental organisation, have announced “Project Treedom 2.0” – an initiative through which 1 million (10 lakh) native saplings are getting planted across four Army establishments.

This ambitious large scale tree plantation project is getting carried out simultaneously in Gwalior (0.2 mn), Babina (0.3 mn), Sagar (0.3 mn), and Ahmednagar (0.2 mn) establishments, marking a significant milestone in the Bank’s efforts towards enhancing India’s green cover and restoring ecological balance.

The initiative addresses critical environmental challenges prevalent in the northern and central belts of India, which are particularly vulnerable to water scarcity, largely due to geographical factors. Changing climate patterns have increasingly disrupted rainfall and agricultural activity, impacting the livelihoods of people dependent on monsoons for farming.

Through Project Treedom 2.0, the Bank is working on developing new forests through agroforestry-based sustainable carbon sequestration initiatives, which includes conserving biodiversity and planting diverse native species. All plantation parcels are equipped with drip irrigation systems to ensure efficient water usage, and solar-powered water systems have also been installed to lift water from sources, further promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Since August 2024, extensive preparatory work was completed at all sites prior to the plantation drive, including site identification, cleaning, pre-planting surveys, planting layout design, pit digging, fertilisation, and setting up sustainable water systems. With a projected environmental impact spanning two decades and an estimated survival rate of 70-80%, this initiative has the potential to sequester an average of 447,023 tons of CO2 per year. Beyond carbon sequestration, it will significantly enhance local biodiversity, revitalise green cover within these establishments, and provide fruits and medicinal products for local communities.

Standard Chartered’s commitment to building a more sustainable future is evident through its several large-scale environmental and water initiatives. During the first edition of Project Treedom in 2023, 1 million native trees were planted in the wastelands of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra (0.5 mn), Aravalli ranges at Manesar near Delhi (0.3 mn), and the dry parched terrain of Jodhpur in Rajasthan (0.2 mn) along with Bhumi.

Karuna Bhatia, Head of Sustainability, India, at Standard Chartered Bank & Global Business Services, said, “At Standard Chartered, we are deeply committed to fostering a more sustainable future, and Project Treedom perfectly embodies this vision. Our partnership with Haritika to plant one million trees across these establishments is a testament to the power of collective action. This initiative goes far beyond just planting trees; it’s about creating lasting environmental impact by significantly enhancing green cover, sequestering substantial amounts of CO2, and enriching local biodiversity for decades to come. We believe that by investing in such large-scale environmental programmes, we are not only contributing to climate change mitigation, but also directly improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

Maj Gen KTG Krishnan, General Officer Commanding, Shahbaaz Division said, “On behalf of Shahbaaz Division, we compliment Standard Chartered and its team for spearheading the tree plantation drive under Project Treedom in Gwalior & Sagar Military Station. Your dedication to enhance ecological support through greenery is making a tangible impact on our environment and further strengthening our commitment towards afforestation & reforestation Drive. Your efforts in nurturing Nature are commendable and inspire us all to be more eco-conscious.  Keep Growing Keep Green!!”

Avani Singh, Founder & Executive Director Haritika said, “We extend our gratitude to Standard Chartered Bank for conferring upon us the privilege to collaborate on Project Treedom — a transformative odyssey dedicated to ecological renaissance. By orchestrating the plantation of approximately one million diverse species, we are not merely amplifying verdant canopies but are also effectuating substantial sequestration of atmospheric CO2. Our direct intervention within the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity (CCB) nexus further exemplifies our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.”

Manish Singh, Head, CRES, India, ASEAN & South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “The Bank has been playing its part in bettering the lives in the communities that we operate in. Through this specific Project Treedom initiative, we are aiming to enhance the ecological balance in the environment. It serves an important purpose of enhancing the green cover and in the bargain ensuring a better future for all.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Rahul Virkar

Head – External Communications, India
Standard Chartered Bank
Email: rahul.virkar@sc.com

Rajiv Banerjee

Head – Communications, India and South Asia
Standard Chartered Bank
Email: rajiv.banerjee@sc.com

About Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered has been operating in India with a continuous presence of over 165 years making it one of the oldest foreign banks in the country. The Bank has a network of 100 branches across 42 cities. Key business segments include Corporate and Investment Banking and Wealth and Retail Banking. For more information, visit https://www.sc.com/in/

Globally, we are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Haritika:

Haritika, a non-governmental organisation established in 1994, is committed to uplifting communities ensnared by the shackles of extreme poverty, illiteracy, and disease. With a mandate, Haritika orchestrates multifaceted developmental interventions designed to catalyse transformative change in the quality of life for marginalised populations. Currently operational across four Indian states—Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra—the organisation garners support from governmental bodies, non-governmental entities, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Haritika’s thematic focus spans a diverse spectrum, encompassing water and sanitation (WATSAN), potable drinking water provision, construction of WHS, renewable energy, rural tourism, tribal & Wadi development, carbon sequestration, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods. For further insights, visit www.haritika.org.