Punjab National Bank partners with forest department for drive
Source:indian-masterminds ↗
কেন এটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ
This development is relevant for WBCS Prelims due to its focus on state-specific environmental initiatives ('Aranya Saptah', 'Ekti Gaach, Maayer Naame!') and their alignment with national campaigns ('Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'). It highlights the intersection of public sector banking, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and forest conservation.
সারসংক্ষেপ
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has partnered with the West Bengal Forest Department to plant 10,000 seedlings in the financial year 2026-27. Executed under the state's 'Ekti Gaach, Maayer Naame!' campaign and coinciding with Aranya Saptah (Forest Week) celebrations (July 14-21), the initiative aligns with the national 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' movement. The program aims to increase green cover and promote climate resilience, serving as a key part of PNB's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments.
মূল বিষয়
- Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed an MoU with the West Bengal Forest Department to plant 10,000 seedlings across the state in FY 2026-27.
- The plantation drive will be executed under the state-level campaign 'Ekti Gaach, Maayer Naame!', which aligns with the national 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' movement.
- The initiative forms part of the state's Aranya Saptah (Forest Week) celebrations held between July 14 and July 21.
- The partnership reinforces PNB's commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives as well as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals.
গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শব্দ
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam
A nationwide afforestation campaign launched on World Environment Day 2024 by the Prime Minister. It encourages citizens to plant a tree as a tribute to their mother and to protect Mother Earth.
UPSC context
GS Paper 3: Environment & Ecology. Important for questions on national climate action, mass afforestation, and public participation in environmental sustainability.
Ekti Gaach, Maayer Naame!
West Bengal's state-level version of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. It promotes large-scale tree planting and community-led environmental conservation, translating to 'A Tree in the Name of Mother'.
UPSC context
GS Paper 3/State PCS: Highlights center-state alignment in environmental initiatives and state-specific biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Aranya Saptah
'Forest Week,' an annual statewide afforestation and awareness campaign in West Bengal (typically mid-July). It focuses on increasing green cover, combating deforestation, and actively engaging citizens and elected representatives.
UPSC context
GS Paper 3: Environment. Relevant to state afforestation models, curbing illegal logging, and ecological restoration efforts in India.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)
A framework under which companies integrate environmental, social, and corporate governance concerns into their operations. It reflects a business's commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and societal impact.
UPSC context
GS Paper 3: Economy & Environment. Essential for topics on corporate sustainability, sustainable finance, and green banking.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
A corporate self-regulation business model where companies make a positive social and environmental impact. In India, CSR is legally mandated for certain profitable companies under the Companies Act, 2013.
UPSC context
GS Paper 2 & 3: Governance & Economy. Critical for questions on corporate accountability, social welfare funding, and public-private partnerships.
প্রিলিমস ফাঁদ
"'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' is a statutory compensatory afforestation scheme managed by CAMPA."
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' is a voluntary mass movement launched on World Environment Day, entirely distinct from statutory CAMPA funds.
সংযুক্ত স্থির ধারণা
What are the thresholds for mandatory CSR under the Companies Act, 2013?
- Threshold Criteria: Net worth of ₹500+ cr, annual turnover of ₹1000+ cr, or net profit of ₹5+ cr.
- Expenditure Mandate: Companies must spend at least 2% of their average net profits from the three preceding financial years.
- Schedule VII: Environmental sustainability, ecological balance, and agroforestry are explicitly recognized as valid CSR activities.
What is the historical context of Joint Forest Management (JFM) in India?
- Arabari Origin: Pioneered in 1972 in the Arabari forest range of West Bengal to halt severe forest degradation.
- Co-management: Formalized partnerships between state forest departments and local village communities to protect and manage degraded forest lands.
- Benefit Sharing: Communities receive access to non-timber forest produce (NTFPs) and a share of timber revenues as incentives.
আন্তঃবিষয় প্যাটার্ন
CSR funding & Green India Mission
Private sector CSR funneling into state afforestation schemes directly overlaps with the National Mission for a Green India (GIM) objectives under the NAPCC.
Evolution from JFM to FRA 2006
The 1972 Arabari Joint Forest Management experiment's participatory approach laid the conceptual groundwork for legally recognizing community forest resource rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
UPSC often conflates voluntary citizen campaigns like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' with statutory frameworks like CAMPA in Prelims.
সংযুক্ত PYQ · 5
সংযুক্ত PYQ · 5
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Joint Forest Management is primarily a partnership between
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