Hyderabad, Oct 25: The Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Limited (APPM), part of International Paper today said it celebrated a milestone of planting one billion trees in
India through its farm forestry initiative.Marking the occasion, Thomas Kadien, senior vice president, Consumer Packaging and IP Asia and India planted a ceremonial billionth tree at the APPM facility in Rajahmundry, a statement from APPM said.
Addressing a group of farmers, nursery managers, environmentalists and representatives of the India Forestry Service, Michael Amick, president - IP India, said, “we want to thank the many farmers and nursery managers who have partnered with us to make this a continuing success.
The program has helped restore productivity to barren lands and generate income for thousands of families.”
“The farmers and local communities have also benefitted from firewood, feed for their cattle, and other advantages that have resulted from this program.
Reaching the billion tree milestone is a testimony to our ongoing focus on sustainability and demonstrates our commitment to being responsible in the way we conduct our business,” he added.
The farm forestry initiative was established by APPM in the early 1980s when it recognized the growing concern of non-availability of fibrous raw material for the paper industry.
The farm forestry initiative has not only resulted in International Paper in India now sourcing 100 per cent of its raw material requirement through its farm forestry developed in the catchments, but it has been successful in bringing about the much-desired improvement in the socio-economic status of the small scale farmers and local inhabitants, it explained.
