The real estate developer aims to spread the Green word amongst the residents of Kolkata
Godrej Properties Ltd. (GPL) (BSE: GODREJPROP), the real estate development arm of the Godrej Group, today commenced a campaign aimed at informing citizens of Kolkata about the harmful effects of a polluted atmosphere and ways to overcome it. The company will initiate several activities as part of this drive to encourage participation by citizens in contributing towards an improved air quality and environment of the city. Some of these activations include informing people on the benefits of having cleaner air using a mobile “O2 Experience Zone”, improving the green cover by way of distribution of saplings and educating children about environment through activations across schools.
The company has set up ‘Mobile O2 Experience Zone’ at various malls wherein citizens are invited to experience the benefits of breathing pure oxygen. Such sessions not only help as stress busters and oxygenate and detoxify body tissues but also help create awareness of contributing towards a better environment. The company will also distribute saplings at malls and multiplexes and encourage people to plant more trees towards creating a greener city and leading to significant reduction in the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) alongwith other harmful gasses and particulate matters.
As per a recent study conducted by The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, South Asia, in collaboration with municipal authorities, Kolkata has the highest level of CO2 emissions amongst 25 Indian cities. Kolkata spews about 9.3 million tonnes equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere each year. An article on CleanIndia.org reveals that a tree planted in the tropics absorbs around 19 kg of CO2 per year. A portion of the table (below) from the same article can be used to gauge the amount of CO2 that an average single house releases in the atmosphere.
| Sources of CO2 Emissions | Kgs. of CO2 Emitted/ Year |
| Water Heater | 3680 kg |
| Refrigerator | 903 kg |
| Clothes Washer | 750 kg |
| Room Air Conditioner | 742 kg |
| Indoor Lighting | 579 kg |
| Outdoor Lighting | 507 kg |
| Television | 319 kg |
| Computer | 319 kg |
| Microwave | 153 kg |
One effective way to reduce this emission is by way of planting trees. Apart from CO2, trees absorb harmful pollutants produced by humans like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO) and small particulate matter. Further, they help in reducing what scientists call “Urban heat islands” — a phenomenon where the urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding areas due to the prevalence of concrete, asphalt and tall buildings, and the absence of vegetation, including trees. Trees also contribute in preventing soil erosion.
Godrej Properties plans to reach out to most parts of Kolkata as part of this environmental initiative and expects to distribute over 4000 saplings during this leg of the drive.
About Godrej Properties Ltd.:
Established in 1990, Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) brings the Godrej Group philosophy of innovation and excellence to the real estate industry. GPL aspires to be among India’s top three real estate companies while continuing to be the most trusted name in the industry. GPL has completed several landmark projects and is currently developing significant projects in 11 cities across India. Throughout its operations, GPL aims to deliver superior value to all stakeholders through extraordinary and imaginative spaces created out of deep customer focus and insight.
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Godrej Properties Ltd. is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and The National Stock Exchange (NSE).
GPL has received several recognitions of its processes and performance which include receiving the ‘Best Business Practices’ award for the year 2009 and ‘Corporate Governance of the Year, 2008' award from Accommodation Times. GPL has also featured as the #1 ranked real estate developer for 2 consecutive years (2009 and 2010) in 'India’s Best Companies to Work For’ survey, conducted by ‘The Economic Times’ and ‘The Great Place To Work Institute’. GPL has been featured for 5 consecutive years as one of “India’s Top 10 Builders” by Construction World magazine.