Airbus initiative backs biodiversity and tribal communities in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris

CHENNAI: Airbus India installed three biogas plants in the Nilgiris this year as part of its efforts to support tribal communities and biodiversity in the western part of Tamil Nadu .

Airbus said as part of its 13th Airbus India expedition, the company's volunteer employees worked with the Paniyan, Kurumban and Kattunayakans communities in the region to build the plants that can produce sustainable gas for cooking and heating.

The two-week expedition concluded on January 30. More than 50 biogas plants have been installed by Airbus employees in the Nilgiris, so far, benefiting more than 50 tribal households.

“The biodiversity project in India is a great way for Airbus volunteers to help communities and to learn how to manage natural resources in an eco-efficient way. At the same time, the project generates income for local families thus changing the lives for the better," Andrea Debbané, executive director, Airbus Foundation, said in a statement.

The initiative started as an eight-year program from 2010 to 2017 and was headed by Airbus Foundation in partnership with United Nations Development Programmes, the Ministry of Environment & Forests, India, the Centre for Tribal & Rural Development Trust and other non-governmental organisations.

The initiative has been extended till 2020.

"As a responsible corporate citizen of India, Airbus is committed to making a positive impact on as many lives as possible by contributing towards protecting the environment. Making cleaner energy easily accessible in the ecologically important Nilgiris is one such step aimed at improving livelihoods today and building a better future for our children,” Anand E Stanley, president & MD, Airbus India & South Asia, said.

Company estimates suggest that the technology helps each household save around 15 kg of firewood per day, and the greenhouse gas emission is reduced by 11.6 tonnes of CO2 annually. "Overall, the total reduction of CO2 emission is about 580 tonnes," Airbus said.