HOUSTON—Himalaya Herbal Healthcare received recognition from the Maryland-based environmental group Trees for the Future for planting 50,000 trees in Andhra Pradesh, India in 2009. This is the second consecutive year Himalaya has participated in the program, bringing the company’s total number of trees planted to 100,000. In 2008, they planted an original 50,000 trees in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
“Himalaya is proud to partner with Trees for the Future for our second consecutive year,” said Nabeel Manal, president and CEO, Himalaya Herbal Healthcare. “And, the trees we’ve planted in the past two years are just a beginning. We’re taking a look at areas in need and evaluating our ability to do even more in 2010.”
Commented Trees for the Future executive director Dave Deppner, “These fast-growing, permanent, beneficial trees will help protect fragile and eroded lands. They will assure that families can continue to live in dignity and harmony with the natural resources of their lands.”
The 100,000 trees Himalaya planted in villages in India in 2008 and 2009 benefit communities devastated by deforestation and global climate change. They include a mixture of species including fruit, fodder and nitrogen-fixing trees. Local communities in the state of Andhra Pradesh were involved in the tree planting program, creating a sense of project ownership among them.
“Trees for the Future is a perfect match for Himalaya’s ongoing commitment to taking care of our world,” Manal said. “If we can empower rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands, we’re happy to do our part. We don’t profit by doing it. It’s simply the right thing to do.”
Since 1989, Tress for the Future has been helping communities throughout the world through seed distribution, agro-forestry training and tree planting projects.