The Tata Mumbai Marathon this year will make a commitment. A commitment towards the environment. Towards an outcome that not just contributes to climate change mitigation, but ensures its benefactor, a sustained livelihood.
Registering for TMM this year will enable every stakeholder to participate and contribute to not just the plantation of trees in the TMM Agro Forest initiative but also to a farmer’s sustained livelihood. Upgrade to a TMM Green Bib during registration and contribute to the TMM Agro Forest. Become an Evergreener.
Over last decade, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been encouraging countries to boost efforts to promote agroforestry - a practice involving the combination of trees with crop or livestock production, stressing it can help millions of people escape poverty and prevent environmental degradation, making it crucial to ensure food security in the future.
A participant can upgrade to a TMM Green Bib during registration. The minimum contribution during an upgrade is one tree; however, one can choose to contribute more than one tree and even a 1-acre farm. The contribution amount for 1 tree is INR 635.
Groups/Corporates/CC teams/Individual have a chance to support a 1-acre farm of 391 trees at one go (391 trees X INR 635 = INR 2,48,285).
On Race Day, the Evergreener participant will run with a special TMM Green Bib and once the tree is planted, a geo-location tag will be shared with each contributor.
This is a one-time investment that covers planting, sapling protection, drip irrigation, maintenance and supervision and capacity building of the farmer, for a period of 3 years. This time frame is critical to ensure the tree becomes self-sufficient.
The initiative is special because it connects the TMM participants and their eco-system with the farmers. Each farmer will allocate 1 acre of land to the TMM Agro Forest initiative. Over time this initiative will not only lead to environmental conservation but also will make the farmers resilient to uncertain weather conditions and enhance their livelihood. This year the geography for the TMM Agro Forest will be the Solapur district of Maharashtra.
The initiative is special because it not just involves the TMM participants but the farmers too. Each farmer will allocate 1 acre land to the TMM Agro Forest initiative.
In addition to participants, any citizen with an intention to make an impact can also opt to be an Evergreener via donations to the TMM Agro Forest initiative, on the United Way Mumbai website.
This community-based Tree Plantation & Livelihood support project Agri+Horti plantation model will be planned and implemented by United Way Mumbai, the Philanthropy Partner to the Tata Mumbai Marathon.
FAQs
What is Agroforestry?
Agroforestry, an agricultural method that nurtures natural ecosystems, could reverse these disturbing trends, according to researchers. A dynamic management system for natural resources based on ecological principles which introduces trees into farms and the agricultural landscape, thereby facilitating a form of diversified and sustained production that improves social, economic and environmental conditions for all land users.
What is TMM Agro Forest?
TMM Agro Forest Initiative: A community-based Tree Plantation & Livelihood support project Agri+Horti plantation model. Improving farmers’ yields while stabilising the climate Designed, planned, and implemented by United Way Mumbai
Tata Mumbai Marathon will carry out a strategic greening initiative in rural areas with farmers effective this year. The strategy is the promotion of horticultural tree plantations with the combination of agriculture on the same piece of land. This will reduce the risk associated with mono- cropping and will improve the risk-bearing capacity of the farmers in case of delayed monsoon, delay in two successive rainfalls, increase in temperature, or any other factors of climate change.
Where will be the TMM Agro Forest located?
The TMM Agro Forest will be located in South Solapur, Akkalkot & Barshi block of Solapur district Maharashtra.
Why Solapur as a location?
Solapur is geographically located closer to Karnataka and Maharashtra border. It shares social as well as ecological ethnicity with both states. It shall be fascinating to feel connected to people from Mumbai for the border district of Maharashtra.
Diversity of soil: Solapur has a variety of black, coarse grey and reddish soil this shall help to understand behaviour of inter-crops other than proposed tree plantation.
Extreme climate: Solapur experiences a dry and extreme climate which will help us to deliver better impact here with reference to the overall biodiversity of this area & ecological benefits.
Scarcity zone: Solapur lies in the Western Maharashtra scarcity zones due to frequent droughts and dry climate. This project shall be some relief for the farmers.
Principal reference: Solapur is a diverse patch with multiple variables, thus success here shall be a replicable model for other locations.
What is TMM Green Bib?
The TMM Green Bib is a bib that allows you to become a contributor to plantation & growing of trees in the TMM Agro Forest. The contribution of participants and people of the Tata Mumbai Marathon will ensure the Agro forests not just result in a better environment, but provide a livelihood to the farmer who provides their land to the Agroforest initiative. Every year a region will be identified and land will be allocated to the TMM Agro Forest
How can I register/upgrade for/to a TMM Green Bib?
Every person who registers for a Race category (including virtual) will have the option to upgrade from a race a TMM Green Bib this year. The minimum contribution is one tree. You can contribute more than one tree and even a 1 acre farm. The contribution can be made at the point of registration or via further donation / fundraising.
How is the TMM Green Bib different from a normal Bib?
The TMM Green Bib will have a different palette on Race Day and will be cherished by the participant, the Evergreener, for the contribution their tree/s made to the climate in the region and the sustenance provided to the farmer providing the land.
What are the Steps to upgrade to a TMM Green Bib?
During Registration:
Applicants can upgrade to the TMM Green Bib while registering online for the respective race category by selecting “YES” to Upgrade to TMM Green Bib and contributing for one or more trees.
Post Registration:
- Sign In to your TMM web profile on tatamumbaimarathon.procam.in
- Select the e-option ‘Upgrade to TMM Green Bib’
- Select number of trees you would like to contribute to the TMM Agro Forest initiative, make payment online and become an Evergreener.
On-ground participants who have upgraded their bibs to TMM Green bib will receive their specially designed TMM Green bib at the expo. Virtual Run participants will receive their TMM Green Bib via post. The Geo Location of tree/s contributed towards will be received via official communication email.
What is the minimum contribution?
The minimum contribution is INR 635 for 1 tree., you can also contribute for more than one tree. Groups/Corporates/CC teams/Individuals also have a chance to support a 1-acre farm of 391 trees at one go, by contributing INR 2,48,285.
The Group SPOC/Individual to send an email to tatamumbaimarathon@procam.in expressing their interest in applying for the TMM Green Bibs upgrade on behalf of the group/individual along with their group name, number of participants and number of trees to be planted per participant @INR 635per tree. Last date to upgrade your bib is 08th December 2023, 11:59 pm.
What is the result of my contribution?
Growing a tree does not stop at a sapling being planted. A tree needs to be taken care of for a minimum of 3 years for it to be self-sufficient and bear fruits. The contribution to the growth of 1 tree for a period of 3 years is INR 635 (barely INR 211 / year). The cost includes plantation of sapling, protection, watering, nourishment, maintenance, and supervision for the period.
Can I contribute to a 1 Acre farm?
Yes, Groups/Corporates/CC teams/Individual have a chance to support a 1-acre farm of 391 trees at one go (391 trees X INR 635 = INR 2,48,285).
The Group SPOC/Individual to send an email to tatamumbaimarathon@procam.in expressing their interest in applying for the TMM Green Bibs upgrade on behalf of the group/individual along with their group name, number of participants and number of trees to be planted per participant @INR 635per tree. Last date to upgrade your bib is 30th November 2023.
Will I get an 80G certificate?
Yes, you will receive an 80G certificate for your contribution from UWM on your registered email id.
Can we upgrade to the TMM Green Bib as a group?
For groups, the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) can apply for TMM Green bibs on behalf of all registered participants. Follow these steps:
- The Group SPOC will send an email to tatamumbaimarathon@procam.in expressing their interest in applying for TMM Green bibs on behalf of the group along with a group name , number of participants and number of trees per participant.
- Upon receiving the TMM Green Bib request email, PIPL will send a confirmation email to the SPOC, confirming the availability of TMM Green bibs.
- Once Green bibs are confirmed, the Group SPOC can make payment via cheque in favour of “United Way of Mumbai” or make a NEFT payment to UWM.
- The Group SPOC will receive an 80G certificate for the TMM Green bib donation, sent to their email address
- The number of TMM Green bibs requested should be equal to the number of registered participants in the group. However, SPOC can choose more than one tree per registered participant, subject to availability
- Group TMM Green bibs can only be availed for registered applicants in the group. Individuals who have not registered in the group will not be entitled for a TMM Green bib
- No refunds will be provided once the payment for TMM Green bibs is made under any circumstances
- Purchasing Green Bib does not guarantee entry to the event. The members of the group/corporate need to register online successfully to avail the TMM Green bib before the end date
- Team members not mentioning the online code while race category registration will not be eligible for a TMM Green bib (if purchased by the SPOC)
- Group/corporate members must register online using the group code before the registration deadline. However, if a team member wishes to purchase a TMM Green bib individually, they can do so at their own expense before completing their registration
If I’m not participating, can I still contribute towards the initiative?
Yes in case of non-participation, you can still contribute to the tree plantation and become an Evergreener via donation / fundraising. Click on this link to know more.
What if my entry is rejected?
In case of rejection, you can still opt to remain an Evergreener, if yes, INR 635 per tree will be contributed from your end and you will receive an 80G certificate for the same. In case you wish to receive a refund of the TMM Green Bib, you will get a full refund of INR 635 and NO 80G certificate will be generated.