TRANSFORMING TRANSFORMING TRANSFORMING SUSTAINABILITY REPORT FY 2023 COMMUNITIES THE PLANET THE WORKPLACE Revival of Khejari in the Thar ecosystem through agro-forestry measures Manmade mangroves and species conservation at Ravva right direction.These luxuriantly, dense wetlands support approximately 150 species of avifauna, Cairn has also committed to plant 15,000 52 species of butterflies, more than 5 species of mammals and snakes each, and hundreds of saplings of Khejari in the Thar desert species of insects, beetles, spiders. Species like Target region, thereby helping to support the Over the past 20 years, Cairn has transformed local biodiversity of this fragile and 56 acres of waste land adjoining its Ravva oil the Fishing Cat, Smooth coated Otter, Black 15,000 plantations by FY 2025 unique ecosystem. Tailed Godwit, Painted Stork, Black-headed and gas field in Krishna-Godavari basin near Ibis,Spot Billed Pelican, which are classified as Surasaniyanam in Andhra Pradesh, into a lush ‘nearthreatened’ or ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red Progress till 31st March 2023 Impact spread of mangroves that hosts thousands of 300 plantations done different species of flora and fauna. The Ravva List of Threatened Species, are all found in these Biodiversity conservation and livelihood oil field on the Bay of Bengal coast, is a joint mangroves, which provide them with a natural generation for farmers by providing the habitat. The disappearance of mangroves from venture between Cairn Oil & Gas-Vedanta Ltd, higher yielding variety of Khejari. India’s and south Asia’s coastal regions have also As part of Cairn’s ESG commitment toward Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, Videocon meant that a lot of aquatic, amphibian and No Net Loss to biodiversity and to Industries Ltd and Ravva Oil Singapore Pvt. Ltd. tropical rain forest-based species have lost conserve indigenous and ecologically Way Forward Cairn became the operator of this field in 1996. habitats, a gap that Ravva is filling. The wetlands sensitive floral species of the Thar region Cairn’s long term objective is to increase are also enriching the soil beneath. Revva’s in Rajasthan, we have initiated a project for The reclamation of the 56-acre stretch of dry the population of Khejari in western topsoil samples are estimated to have an organic the revival of Khejari. The Khejari tree is Rajasthan, by involving both local wasteland began as a social and environmental carbon content greater than 1.9%. The very Rajasthan’s state tree and has both communities and the government. Our change initiative and subsequently became an high-density canopy created by the mangroves ecological, social as well as, economic short- to medium-term goal is to increase ongoing CSR initiative for the JV entity. The also makes it an exemplary carbon sink. So far, importance. This species is adapted to the number of plantations in the areas reclamation entailed the creation of manmade the wetlands have stored more than 2000 thrive in the harsh and arid conditions of surrounding our site. mangroves and wetlands in the area which tonnes of carbon and sequestered nearly 7500 the region and helps in sustaining the houses Cairn’s crude oil storage and processing TCO e of greenhouse gases from the nutrient value of the soil. The leaves are terminal. As a part of the reclamation initiative, 8 2 used as fodder for livestock. The tree also mangrove species out of the 40-odd commonly atmosphere. helps in nitrogen fixation and improves the found species endemic to the eastern coast, quality and fertility of the soil. Further, have been transplanted and nurtured in Ravva. Khejari pods, locally known as sangari are used as a vegetable and is rich in proteins, Impact minerals and fibers. The tree is also used South and South East Asia are losing for medicinal purposes, for curing of mangroves at the fastest rates in the world. Yet ailments like asthma, bronchitis. mangroves have an even greater role to play in However, due to over-cultivation, grazing these regions which face some of the fiercest and habitat degradation the Khejari storms and hurricanes in the world, against population has been decreasing. Cairn has which mangroves can act as natural barriers. distributed 300 saplings of Shobha Khejari These regions also have high population to farmers in 2022 as a part of its Van densities and high carbon emissions Mahotsav initiative. This activity will help in trajectories, where mangroves can make a dent improving soil quality and also generate given their high rates of carbon sequestration. livelihoods for the farmers. Our wetlands at Ravva are thus a step in the 81