Batting for a sustainable tomorrow: Rajasthan Royals support one of the most significant conservation efforts in the history of South Asia

~ The cricket franchise has partnered with The Great People’s Forest of the Eastern Himalayas as Outreach Partners, making a positive impact on 1 billion people across South Asia and aiming to raise US$1billion, planting 1 billion trees and restoring and protecting 1 million hectares of forests across the Eastern Himalayas ~

New Delhi: Sport as a medium has the potential to lead positive change in society, and as a pioneering cricket franchise known for its commitment to social causes, Rajasthan Royals have today joined hands with The Great People’s Forest of the Eastern Himalayas in a major partnership which will see the inaugural IPL winners backing one of the most significant conservation efforts in the history of South Asia in order to #ManifestTheChange. The association means this is one of the most innovative partnerships between a world-leading sporting franchise and a major environmental initiative ever undertaken.

The Great People’s Forest is a ground-breaking initiative from Conservation International and the Balipara Foundation of Assam, India which seeks to raise US$1billion, plant 1 billion trees, and restore and protect 1 million hectares of forest across the Eastern Himalayas from the mountains to the mangroves, upon which 1 billion people rely. This ground-breaking partnership will see the team help support and promote the efforts of The Great People’s Forest partners and communities across the North East of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan who are working to protect and restore forests for the benefit of local livelihoods and the planet. The team’s huge international profile will further help efforts to place this connected ecosystem, which is home to one billion people and one twelfth of the world’s biodiversity, on the global agenda as an urgent conservation priority.

Sport as a medium is fundamental to the economy, society and the environment, and with the vision of 'transforming society through cricket', the Royals have been committed to fostering a positive change in the country by batting for women-led climate equity and action through their social equity arm - the Royal Rajasthan Foundation.