UPL Limited

UPL’s social forestry initiative, launched in 2016, aims to restore degraded forests and common lands, including government wastelands, through active community participation.

Mangrove Plantation - To safeguard marine ecosystems and their biodiversity, UPL has initiated mangrove plantation activities along the coastal belt of Vagra Taluka in Bharuch district, Gujarat. This initiative aims to establish a green barrier along the coast through extensive plantation efforts, raise environmental awareness among students in nearby schools, and create livelihood opportunities for the local tribal community.

* Sarus Conservation Project - Since 2015, UPL's Sarus Conservation Project in Gujarat has been dedicated to monitoring the population, breeding patterns, and threats to the Sarus crane in Kheda and Anand districts. This initiative emphasizes community involvement in conserving the species, as Sarus cranes predominantly inhabit areas outside protected reserves.
* Khambhat Vulture Conservation - UPL Ltd has launched the "Khambhat Vulture Conservation Project" in Khambhat Taluka, Anand district, Gujarat, to address the declining vulture population. The last vulture population survey in Gujarat, conducted by the GEER Foundation in 2022, recorded 2,143 vultures across seven species, including 283 White-rumped Vultures. This marks a significant decline from the 352 White-rumped Vultures documented in 2018, underscoring the need for urgent conservation measures.
* Deer Breeding Project - The program aims to breed and restock native deer and antelope species to restore the prey base for leopards in the Vansda National Park.

In 2018-19, UPL collaborated with the government on the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan, a campaign aimed at addressing water scarcity in Gujarat through sustainable solutions and community awareness. The initiative focused on deepening ponds and lakes, enhancing water storage capacity through rainwater harvesting, desilting rivers, and improving irrigation canals.

Ahmedabad Lake Project - The Prime Minister launched Mission Amrit Sarovar to restore 75 water bodies in each district. The Ahmedabad Lake project is one such effort, contributing to pond rejuvenation in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

An Eco-Club is a vibrant community of school students dedicated to environmental awareness and action. These young champions actively engage in safeguarding and improving their surroundings, fostering a culture of sustainability. Operating for over a decade, the clubs exemplify long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, effectively spreading the message of sustainability to their families and the wider community.

UPL leverages locally available natural resources to foster sustainable development. A cornerstone of this strategy is the establishment and empowerment of community-based organizations. These groups equip youth, farmers, and women in rural areas with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in both formal and informal sectors. Their active participation is integral to the initiative's success, ensuring long-term impact and instilling trust among all stakeholders.

UPL has been at the forefront of empowering farmers across eight clusters in Gujarat through a range of initiatives designed to enhance food security, improve nutritional intake, and boost the prosperity of 25,000 small and medium-scale farmers.

At the heart of UPL's agricultural development initiatives in India is the UPL Centre for Agriculture Excellence (UCAE), which focuses on empowering farmers through capacity building. The center offers free residential training programs designed to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge needed to optimize land use and enhance agricultural productivity.

UPL launched the Fisheries Project in the Dahej cluster to enhance the income of fishermen. The initiative began with village- and block-level meetings organized by the UPL team to communicate the project’s objectives and ensure stakeholder engagement throughout the planning and implementation process. Local leaders were identified to drive community mobilization and facilitate baseline surveys across six selected villages in Dahej.

Over 600 farmers across 20 villages engage in animal husbandry to diversify their livelihoods and reduce the risks associated with agriculture. To enhance traditional animal rearing practices, targeted interventions are implemented to improve cattle care and milk productivity. Support is provided through artificial insemination services, high-quality animal feed, and veterinary care, including vaccinations and health camps.

Skill development centers, collaboratively promoted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) and Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), are managed by the S.R. Shroff Aajivika Trust (SRSAT), a UPL-initiated trust focused on entrepreneurship and skill enhancement. These centers equip school dropouts with industry-relevant skills, enhancing their employability. The training programs are tailored to meet industry demands, with course content and teaching methodologies designed accordingly.

UPL has played a pivotal role in supporting the Global Parli project by providing essential funding and facilitating administrative and program implementation efforts. This commitment addresses a critical component of the transformation process, ensuring its successful execution and impact.

UPL Ltd is dedicated to improving the quality of education through its company-promoted initiative, the Gyan Dham Vapi Charitable Trust. The Trust currently oversees and supports two schools:

Smt. Sandraben Shroff Gyan Dham School, located in G.I.D.C., Vapi.
Gyan Dham Eklavya Model Residential School, situated in Ahwa.
These institutions reflect UPL's commitment to fostering educational excellence and accessibility.

* Shroff S Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology (SRICT), Vataria, Ankleshwar - SRICT has been established by UPL to provide world-class research and teaching facilities for the benefit of the industries.
* Sandra Shroff College of Nursing (SSCN), Vapi- Sandra Shroff College of Nursing, VAPI (SSCN) was started in 2004 with the objective of providing good quality medical professionals (especially nurses) to the surrounding areas.

UPL School Sanitation - To improve the overall sanitation environment in the rural areas, UPL conducts community awareness drives about hygiene practices and behaviour.
UPL Suraksha (Safety) - This program includes the following initiatives -
* Girl Safety Training
* Industrial Safety Training
* Road/Highway Safety Training
* Home Safety Training
UPL Unnati (Mumbai) - Aims to create capacities of civil society organizations including Non Govt. Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
United Against Child Labour - UPL organised awareness sessions on the importance of education for children.