Marking World Environment Day, Jishnu Dev Varma, Honourable Governor of Maharashtra, yesterday felicitated Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group, in recognition of the environmental impact created through Project Maitree.
Project Maitree, the flagship afforestation initiative of Avashya Foundation, the CSR arm of Allcargo Group, has facilitated the plantation of over 1.6 million trees across Maharashtra, reaffirming the Group’s commitment to environmental sustainability, ecological conservation, and climate resilience. The project will undertake the plantation of an additional 3 lakh fruit bearing saplings between June and September 2026 across Palghar, Raigad and Amravati districts.
Commenting on the occasion, Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Allcargo Group, said, ‘’I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition for Project Maitree on behalf of the entire Allcargo Group family, our partners, and the communities who have contributed to this journey. Mumbai has given us so much, and this initiative is our way of giving back to the city and its people. When I came to Mumbai in 1983, with dreams and aspirations, the city welcomed me with opportunities that shaped my entrepreneurial journey and enabled me to build what Allcargo Group is today. These initiatives are not just about reviving a vital ecosystem; it is about preserving our natural heritage, enhancing climate resilience, and creating a greener future for generations to come. This commitment is also aligned with our aspiration to achieve carbon neutrality across the Group by 2040, well ahead of India’s net-zero target of 2070.”
Through these initiatives, Avashya Foundation continues to create long-term environmental and social impact, contributing towards a greener, more resilient and sustainable future.
Beyond afforestation, Avashya Foundation also advanced water conservation initiates through the successful implementation of the Sawangi Canal Project in Nagpur district, part of Maharashtra’s water-stressed Vidarbha region, to address water scarcity and strengthen rural livelihoods. The project covers a total area of 970 hectares across 9 villages and is expected to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of 3000 families in the villages.
