Henkel India, Rotary Launch Project HARMONY for Ecosystems

With an aim to protect and restore local ecosystems around its head office in Navi Mumbai, Henkel India has partnered with Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai - The Joy of Giving (Rotary) under its CSR initiative. Called Project HARMONY, which is an acronym for “Henkel and Rotary for Mother Nature and You,” this employee volunteering-focused CSR initiative will use their collective strength and passion to bring about “Transformational Impact for the good of Generations.”

As part of the initiative, Henkel India in collaboration with Rotary will offer its employee volunteers engaging and hands-on activities that will make sustainability fun, meaningful and actionable. The first of series of activities under Project HARMONY was a panel discussion focused on Mangroves and Marine Biodiversity Conservation held at Henkel India head office in Seawoods, Navi Mumbai on 25th July 2025. In a fitting tribute to the International Mangrove Conservation Day, the session brought together an esteemed panel of environmental experts from varied experience and expertise to share their insights. The panelists highlighted the importance of mangroves, discussed conservation efforts, and explored ways to address the challenges facing these vital ecosystems.

The discussion featured Stalin Dayanand, a renowned environmental conservationist, who passionately spoke about the indigenous value of mangrove ecosystems and the critical role of community involvement in preserving them. Joining him was Piyush Jha, a clean technology expert, who shared innovative solutions in wastewater processing and reuse, with promising implications for marine and wetland sustainability.

Adding a legal dimension to the dialogue, Meenaz Kakalia, emphasized the legal gaps and opportunities in protecting biodiversity-rich zones, especially when it comes to ensuring the rights of marginalized communities living around them. Kedarnath Rao Ghorpade, Former Chief Planner of MMRDA, highlighted how urban planning in Navi Mumbai has made commendable progress in integrating ecological resilience, and encouraged continued efforts to align development with environmental priorities.

The session was co-moderated by Bhagwan Kesbhat, Founder of Waatavaran, who framed the conversation through the lens of civic engagement and grassroots action, and Dr. Anjali Parasnis, Coordinator of the World Bank’s 2030 Water Resources Group, who brought a valuable global perspective to the regional conservation dialogue.

This event wasn't just a discussion; it was a call to action to join hands in building a greener, more resilient Navi Mumbai.

Project HARMONY marks the beginning of a deeper commitment to biodiversity conservation, blending the strengths of community leadership, corporate responsibility, and expert guidance. – S Sunil Kumar, Country President – Henkel India.

“This dialogue marked a pivotal step in nurturing the coastal ecosystems of Navi Mumbai by combining young entrepreneurial mindsets, innovative ideas, legal and policy expertise, and a strong sense of community ownership and passion." 

“When corporates and citizens unite on the ground, conservation becomes a shared success story.”
— Rekha Sankhala (Club President 2025-26), RCNM Joy of Giving