L’Oréal India has announced the expansion of its “Green Pathways” initiative in Yavatmal, Maharashtra, focusing on ecological restoration and water security in the drought-prone district. In collaboration with the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES), the project has already restored 2,500 hectares of degraded land in the Ghatanji block since 2021, enhancing water storage capacity by 150 million litres and benefiting over 1,800 farming families.
L’Oréal India has announced plans to expand the project, aiming to restore an additional 5,000 hectares of land by 2026. This extension is expected to enhance water storage capacity by 300 million litres and benefit 3,000 more farming families across 85 villages.
“Our commitment to land restoration and driving positive social change in Yavatmal is stronger than ever. Having personally met the farmer community in the region, it’s humbling to play a small part in ensuring their secure livelihoods. At L’Oréal, we have a conviction to be part of the solution to the challenges that the world is facing. We will continue to drive change by transforming our business activities to address the critical environmental and social challenges in the country,” said Aseem Kaushik, Managing Director of L’Oréal India.
The initiative emphasises empowering women in agriculture, aiming to support nearly 500 women in the region. L’Oréal India employees have also actively contributed to the project. During the 2024 Mumbai Marathon, 240 employees raised funds for farmers in Yavatmal, providing micro-irrigation sprinklers to 156 families in Kati village, Digras block. These sprinklers are expected to save 2 million litres of water annually, addressing water scarcity and supporting sustainable farming practices.
Subrata Kumar Singh, Executive Director of the Foundation for Ecological Security said, “Over the past three years, through our partnership with L’Oréal India, we’ve seen significant progress in strengthening water security and improving the governance of natural resources along the Khuni river catchment. We’re thrilled to expand this vital work to additional communities, furthering our collective commitment to a more sustainable future in Yavatmal.”