India’s Zurich Kotak General Insurance (Zurich Kotak) has partnered with the non-profit organisation Forest Creators to plant over 5,000 trees on degraded port land in Mumbai.
Forest Creators is a group dedicated to developing fast-growing, self-sustaining Miyawaki forests. The firm stated that the partnership “embodies Zurich’s commitment to community volunteering as a cornerstone of its corporate ethos.”
The move comes as the business marks one year since the official establishment of the Zurich Insurance Group and Kotak Mahindra Bank entity on June 18, 2024.
Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mumbai’s civic governing body, shows that over 21,000 trees have been felled in the city over the past six years, according to The Indian Express. The trees were removed to make way for key infrastructure projects, including the Metro, bullet train, coastal road, sewage treatment plants (STPs), and the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road—further worsening the city’s already deteriorating air quality.
Commenting on the initiative, Alok Agarwal, Managing Director and CEO of Zurich Kotak General Insurance, said the partnership “embodies our commitment to delivering social impact in our communities.”
“We are committed to empowering businesses and building resilience, ensuring we act responsibly for our customers and the planet in everything we do,” Agarwal said.
Dr R.K. Nair, renowned environmentalist and co-founder of Forest Creators, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration. “What sets this initiative apart is the involvement of students not just as planters, but as caretakers of the forest’s future,” he said. “This collaboration is a powerful step towards a greener, more sustainable Mumbai.”
Also announced on the company’s anniversary was the launch of its new Commercial Insurance division, offering coverage across various sectors including property, liability, marine, and engineering.
