On April 22, 2025, a date that marks both Vertelo’s first anniversary and Earth Day, Vertelo took a bold step to honor its mission of driving a greener future for India. In collaboration with an environmental organization, Vertelo initiated the planting of 100 trees in an agroforest setting, blending sustainable mobility with ecological restoration.

This initiative is more than symbolic; it’s a celebration of milestones and a meaningful investment in the planet. Each tree stands as a living emblem of Vertelo’s achievements and its vision for a cleaner, more sustainable tomorrow. As a company redefining transportation through e-mobility, Vertelo believes in not only reducing emissions on the road but also restoring nature off the road.

Planted in an agroforestry model where trees grow alongside crops and livestock, these trees do more than just sequester carbon. They support local farmers by improving soil health, reducing farming costs, and providing additional sources of income through fruits. This method enhances climate resilience while also boosting livelihoods and long-term economic stability for farming communities. It’s a win-win for both the environment and rural India.

At Vertelo, every step forward is rooted in care, growth, and responsibility. This plantation marks a powerful promise to drive innovation with intention and to leave behind a legacy that future generations can breathe easier with.

Project Planning & Execution

No of Trees: 100

Plantation Location: Taluka Karjat, Raigarh, Maharashtra - 410201

Plantation Date: 22nd April 2025

Name of Species: Mango, Guava

Species Selection & Its Benefits: 

The initiative prioritizes the planting of native tree species, ensuring high survival rates and fostering long-term ecological stability. By aligning tree selection with the farmer’s needs and local market demand, the project enhances environmental sustainability while providing a long-term source of income. The farmer's consent and active participation played a crucial role in selecting the tree species, ensuring seamless integration with existing agricultural practices.

For this initiative, a single farmer was supported with the plantation of 100 Mango (Mangifera indica) and Guava (Psidium guajava) trees. These species were strategically chosen for their resilience, economic returns, and ecological advantages. Guava, known for its adaptability and fast yield cycles, offers a sustainable source of income through regular harvests while enriching soil fertility, preventing erosion, and attracting biodiversity. Mango, a high-value crop with deep-root systems, supports long-term profitability for the farmer while aiding in groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and the creation of a microclimate that benefits surrounding crops.

This thoughtful species selection not only strengthens the farmer’s livelihood but also reinforces Vertelo’s broader vision for environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and rural empowerment.

Beneficiaries Details

Planting Methodology and Its Advantages

Agroforestry: Vertelo’s tree plantation initiative is rooted in the agroforestry concept, a sustainable land management practice that not only benefits the environment but also provides additional income for farmers. By integrating trees with agricultural landscapes, farmers can generate revenue through fruit production, reduce dependency on chemical inputs, and diversify their income streams, ensuring financial resilience for rural communities. Agroforestry enhances soil fertility, improves water retention, and prevents erosion, contributing to long-term ecological stability. It supports biodiversity, promotes natural pest control, and creates favorable microclimates that enhance agricultural productivity by regulating temperature, reducing wind impact, and providing shade. 

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, Vertelo recognizes agroforestry as a strategic method for carbon sequestration, environmental regeneration, and sustainable land use. This commitment reflects the company’s proactive approach to sustainability, reinforcing its dedication to responsible corporate practices that support a greener, healthier planet for future generations.

Advantages of Agroforestry

• Increased Farmer Incomes: This approach helps in increasing the farmer’s income by as much as 3 times. Farmers benefit from diversified income sources, lifting economic resilience.

• Improved Livelihoods: Agroforestry enhances farmers' resilience to economic and climate-related shocks by creating more sustainable and diversified farming systems.

• Biodiversity Promotion: Agroforestry supports a diverse range of plants and animals, creating habitats for wildlife and improving ecosystem health.

• Environmental Sustainability: This model reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainable land management, aligning with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Food Security: Agroforestry enhances agricultural productivity and food availability by integrating fruit-bearing trees with crops, contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

• Carbon Sequestration: Trees planted through agroforestry absorb carbon dioxide, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Climate Resilience: Agroforestry helps mitigate climate change impacts by improving land productivity and fostering biodiversity.

• Improved Soil and Water Management: Trees enhance soil fertility, reduce erosion, and increase water retention, resulting in more resilient farming.

Activities During Tree Plantation

Vertelo’s tree plantation initiative, rooted in the agroforestry concept, was thoughtfully planned and executed to promote long-term environmental sustainability and rural livelihood enhancement. The plantation activities were carried out in collaboration with Mrs. Hira Bai Vaman Nirgude, a committed local farmer from Taluka Karjat, Raigarh. Her deep understanding of the local soil and climatic conditions ensured that the plantation was aligned with sustainable agricultural practices.

Before the plantation event, the site was meticulously prepared with pre-dug pits and healthy saplings, optimizing conditions for root establishment and early plant growth. On the day of the plantation, Vertelo employees joined hands with Mrs. Hira Bai Vaman Nirgude in planting and watering the saplings, demonstrating their active participation and shared commitment to building a greener future. Their involvement not only reinforced community engagement but also reflected Vertelo’s ethos of corporate responsibility and environmental action.

A total of 100 fruit-bearing trees, including mango and guava, were planted during the activity. These trees are expected to generate long-term income for Mrs. Hira Bai while improving the land’s ecological health through enhanced biodiversity, better soil quality, and increased carbon capture. This collaborative effort exemplifies Vertelo’s dedication to climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and empowering rural communities through inclusive, hands-on environmental stewardship.

Conclusion Elements

Impact

Direct Impact

*This impact analysis is forward-looking (An agroforestry project matures in 3-5 years)

Indirect Impact

Community Impact

• Empowerment of Farmers: By providing training and resources for sustainable farming practices, agroforestry equips farmers with skills to enhance productivity and adapt to environmental changes.

• Food Security: The integration of fruit-bearing trees and crops ensures a consistent food supply, improving nutrition and reducing hunger within the community.

• Environmental Awareness: Community involvement in tree plantation fosters a sense of responsibility for environmental conservation and promotes sustainable practices in daily life.

• Enhanced Social Equity: Agroforestry initiatives foster enhanced social equity by empowering marginalized farmers with sustainable livelihoods, bridging economic gaps, and promoting inclusive community participation in environmental conservation efforts.

• Resilience to Climate Change: The diverse and sustainable nature of agroforestry helps communities mitigate the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, by stabilizing local ecosystems.

• Health and Well-being: Green spaces created through agroforestry improve air quality and offer a healthier environment, contributing to the physical and mental well-being of the community

Environmental Impact

• Carbon Sequestration: Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• Soil Health Improvement: Agroforestry enriches soil through organic matter from fallen leaves and roots, improving fertility, structure, and nutrient availability for crops.

• Erosion Prevention: Tree roots stabilize the soil, reducing erosion caused by wind and water while protecting nearby agricultural fields and water bodies.

• Biodiversity Conservation: By creating habitats for various species, agroforestry enhances biodiversity, supporting pollinators, beneficial insects, and native wildlife.

• Water Cycle Regulation: Trees improve water retention, recharge groundwater levels, and reduce surface runoff, contributing to a more balanced and sustainable water cycle.

• Microclimate Regulation: Agroforestry moderates temperature extremes, reduces wind speeds, and increases humidity, creating favorable conditions for crop growth and ecosystem balance.

Achievements

SDG Goals Achieved through Agroforestry

SDG 1: No Poverty – By integrating fruit-bearing trees into farmland, this initiative creates a sustainable income source for farmers, strengthening financial security and reducing poverty in rural areas.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The agroforestry approach improves soil health, enhances agricultural productivity, and promotes sustainable farming, ensuring long-term food security for farming communities.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Tree plantations help purify the air, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem. By reducing carbon emissions and pollutants, this initiative supports respiratory health and overall well-being.

SDG 4: Quality Education – Vertelo supports knowledge-sharing on sustainable land management, empowering farmers with training on agroforestry techniques, conservation, and ecological restoration.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Agroforestry enhances groundwater recharge, prevents soil erosion, and reduces water runoff, contributing to better water conservation and ensuring long-term water availability.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The initiative fosters employment opportunities in tree planting, farm management, and agro-processing, encouraging sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Vertelo promotes sustainable agricultural infrastructure by integrating innovative farming practices, enhancing productivity while reducing environmental impact.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequality – By supporting marginalized farmer families, this project promotes income diversification and economic inclusion, reducing disparities in rural communities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Sustainable agroforestry minimizes reliance on chemical inputs, promotes eco-friendly agricultural practices, and ensures responsible resource management.

SDG 13: Climate Action – Trees act as natural carbon sinks, mitigating climate change by absorbing CO₂, improving soil resilience, and reducing the impact of extreme weather conditions.

SDG 15: Life on Land – This initiative enhances biodiversity, prevents deforestation, restores degraded land, and strengthens ecosystem health through sustainable afforestation efforts.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Vertelo’s collaboration with Grow Billion Trees highlights the significance of partnerships in driving impactful environmental and social change. Through collective expertise and community engagement, this initiative contributes to long-term sustainability and ecological restoration.

ESG Achieved through Agroforestry

• Environmental Impact: The Vertelo agroforestry initiative promotes sustainable afforestation, enhancing carbon sequestration, combating climate change, and improving air quality. By restoring soil fertility, preventing erosion, and supporting groundwater recharge, this initiative contributes to long-term ecological stability. Additionally, it fosters biodiversity by creating a thriving habitat for wildlife, reinforcing the company’s commitment to environmental conservation and responsible land management.

• Social Impact: This initiative uplifts rural communities by generating income opportunities through farmer-led plantation activities. Integrating fruit-bearing trees into farmland enhances food security while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, Vertelo actively fosters environmental awareness, community engagement, and long-term socio-economic benefits for farming communities. By supporting such agroforestry-based interventions, Vertelo strengthens local economies, encourages sustainable land use, and contributes to a healthier, more resilient future for rural India.

• Governance Impact: Vertelo’s collaboration with Grow Billion Trees ensures ethical governance, transparency, and measurable impact. The initiative adheres to sustainable afforestation standards, with expert-led implementation and strategic execution. By embedding accountability and responsible corporate governance into its environmental efforts, the company reinforces stakeholder trust and sets a benchmark for sustainability-driven corporate leadership.

Building Communities

One of the most profound outcomes of Vertelo’s agroforestry initiative was the sense of unity and collaboration it nurtured within the local community. By actively involving farmers, stakeholders, and environmental partners, the initiative transformed from a simple tree plantation drive into a shared mission for a greener, more sustainable future.

• Empowering Farmers: The Farmer was not just a beneficiary but an active participant, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable agroforestry techniques. By integrating these practices into her traditional farming methods, she strengthened her economic stability and environmental resilience, ensuring long-term benefits for her livelihood and the ecosystem.

• Fostering Partnerships: The project encourages active participation from Mrs. Hira Bai Vaman Nirgude throughout the plantation process, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration in the community. Vertelo’s collaboration with Grow Billion Trees and local farming communities demonstrated the power of collective action in driving meaningful environmental change. This synergy ensured expert-led execution, long-term sustainability, and tangible positive outcomes for both people and nature.

• Creating a Ripple Effect: As farmers witnessed the economic and ecological benefits of agroforestry firsthand, their enthusiasm encouraged neighboring communities to adopt similar sustainable practices. This cascading effect expanded the initiative’s impact, turning a single project into a widespread movement for resilient and greener landscapes.

 This initiative reaffirmed that true environmental sustainability is rooted in community-driven efforts. It was not just about planting trees; it was about planting hope, fostering collaboration, and building a shared vision for a healthier planet.

Commitment by Grow Billion Trees