According to a recent census, the world population has increased to 7.9 billion . As the population increases, so does the demand for resources, which are obtained from the environment. This year's theme for World Environment Day, "Only One Earth," also serves as a reminder of the need for environmental preservation. 

The Indian subcontinent, with only 2.4% of the world’s land area, houses over 7% of all recorded species of flora and fauna. It also has four of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots, which are in the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, and the Sundaland regions. 

Himalaya Wellness Company believes that "what is good for us should be good for the Earth too." Several smaller initiatives can have a greater impact on the ecosystem. Here are some of the key impactful initiatives Himalaya Wellness Company has activated in association with several NGOs.

Preserving Biodiversity

Since 2012, Himalaya Wellness Company has launched numerous activities aimed at protecting and safeguarding the environment. Our tree-planting project was initiated in the biodiversity-rich forests of the Western Ghats, which house more than 1,500 endemic species of flowering plants and at least 500 unique species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Over 800,000 trees have been planted in the Western Ghats, Meghalaya, the Eastern Ghats, and Karnataka. Another 100,000 saplings will be planted in the vicinity of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Company plans to reach a milestone of one million trees by the year 2023. 

This conservation not only protects biodiversity but also helps us live a more sustainable life by using ecosystems and biodiversity in a sustainable way. Biodiversity conservation protects flora and fauna as a source of food, recycles nutrients, fertilizes the soil, and helps manage pests and diseases. 

We have also worked closely with the local communities, involving over 600 farmers from 70 villages. Fruit and vegetable-bearing trees, as well as fodder-producing trees have been planted, offering residents complete autonomy over the produce for economic gain or personal consumption. 

Sustainable Community

Smaller activities have an impact as well! To meet present requirements, a sustainable community manages its people, and ecological and financial resources. It guarantees that future generations will have enough resources. We are assisting the Mawphlang and Perkseh villages in Meghalaya in becoming self-sustaining eco-villages. Natives from the Khasi tribe have been identified and trained in skills such as vermicomposting, beekeeping, and mushroom cultivation and encouraged to take up secondary livelihood options. Himalaya Wellness Company has conducted extensive training programs on the scientific techniques required for these activities using demonstrations by subject matter experts.

They have also been provided with tools such as beehives, bee boxes, ponds, bags, and tarpaulin for vermicomposting.

Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse 

Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse are simple and practical methods. The three Rs play a critical role in our packaging development. We have significantly reduced the use of plastic across our entire portfolio, including lotion, shampoo, baby powder, and face wash tubes. This has helped reduce plastic consumption by more than 500 tons per year. A simple design change in our lotion bottles and weight optimization exercise in our product range has reduced our plastic consumption by over 40 tons per year. Our shipping cartons are also made from 100% recycled board.

The biodiversity we have around us is essential for our survival. All facets of human life are made possible by species and the ecosystems they create. For every breath of air and every bite of food, we rely on the natural resources that healthy ecosystems supply. Pollinators, soil organisms, natural predators of crop pests, and other biodiversity are essential to our society and agricultural system. It is critical that individuals, NGOs, and corporations work together to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity.