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Hyundai Motor India Foundation creates one of Maharashtra’s largest urban forests
MUMBAI: Hyundai Motor India Foundation has turned a barren stretch near Talegaon, Pune, into one of Maharashtra’s largest urban forests, planting one million trees across 90.5 acres in less than a year.
Developed under the IONIQ Forest initiative, the project uses the Miyawaki method to create a dense, fast-growing forest of 41 native species, positioning it among the country’s most ambitious single-site afforestation drives.
The effort began with ground preparation in May 2025, followed by a mass plantation drive on World Environment Day in June. The forest was formally inaugurated in September by Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra. Each tree has been geo-tagged and linked to a QR code, allowing real-time monitoring and transparency in upkeep.
Puneet Anand, avp and vertical head – corporate affairs, corporate communication and social at Hyundai Motor India Limited, said the project went beyond planting trees. “This is about building a greener and more sustainable future by combining environmental restoration with community empowerment. Planting one million trees at a single location in under a year underlines Hyundai’s commitment to climate action and responsible growth in Maharashtra,” he said.
The forest is projected to absorb around 63,000 tonnes of CO₂ over the next five years, while improving biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience in the region. More than 150 members of local tribal communities have been engaged in plantation and maintenance work, linking ecological restoration with sustainable livelihoods.
Once established, the site is expected to evolve into a living classroom for schools and local communities, promoting environmental awareness and hands-on learning.
The project is part of Hyundai’s broader Rs 56 crore CSR commitment in Maharashtra, spanning environment, healthcare, road safety and community development.
From cleared land to carbon sink in under a year, Hyundai’s IONIQ Forest shows how scale, speed and sustainability can grow together.
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ITC Sunfeast Farmlite launches Sugar Free Cookies range
New variants offer guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious snackers.
MUMBAI: ITC Sunfeast Farmlite is sweetening the deal for biscuit lovers who want to have their cookie and eat it too without the sugar. The better-for-you biscuits range from ITC Foods has expanded its portfolio with the launch of an all-new Sugar Free Cookies line, aligning with the company’s vision of ‘Help India Eat Better’. The range is designed for consumers who are rethinking sugar in their daily snacking but refuse to compromise on taste and indulgence.
The collection debuts with two tempting variants: Choco Nut Cookies and Hazelnut & Oats Cookies. Both are a source of protein and contain no trans-fat, while the Hazelnut & Oats variant is also lactose-free.
ITC Ltd. vice president (marketing), biscuits, foods division, Suraj Kathuria said, “At Sunfeast Farmlite, we believe mindful snacking should never come at the cost of indulgence. With this launch, we are catering to the growing need for guilt-free snacking while delivering a rich, satisfying cookie experience.”
ITC Ltd. vice president & head of food sciences for foods division Dr Shantanu Das added, “We have applied robust food science to develop cookies that are sugar-free while preserving the taste and texture consumers love.”
Each cookie comes in convenient single-serve packs to maintain texture and freshness. Both variants are available in 100g packs priced at ₹100 and can be found on quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
In a market increasingly leaning towards healthier choices, ITC Sunfeast Farmlite’s new Sugar Free Cookies prove that cutting sugar doesn’t mean cutting joy. For the health-conscious yet indulgent snacker, this could be the perfect bite-sized solution.
