The Indian Army, responsible for the country’s security, is protecting India’s green cover.
The Army has adopted a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability through several of its green initiatives. The force’s tools to implement these initiatives encompass electric vehicles, hydrogen technology, waste management, sustainable infrastructure, and afforestation efforts.
These initiatives reduce the Army’s environmental impact and contribute to national environmental goals. As per the data from 2024, the Indian Army in the last two years has planted over 13.5 lakh trees across various stations using traditional as well as scientific and less land-intensive techniques like ‘Miyawaki’.
There are several programmes that the Army has come up with to reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainability.
Thal Sena Bhawan
The Thal Sena Bhawan, which has been under construction in Delhi Cantonment since 15th March 2023, will be completed by June 2025.
The Army will adopt unique and environment-friendly construction practices in the making of this building. The Army is undertaking 476 fully grown trees and a compensatory plantation of 5790 trees to increase the green cover in the area.
In the construction process, the Army is making sure to use environment-friendly material
Post construction, the Army aims to make the Thal Sena Bhawan a net-zero building as it will have its compost plant, sewage treatment plant, solar panel, and electric vehicle charging facilities to promote clean energy.
Solid Waste Management
In the area of waste management, the Indian Army has implemented various measures to manage solid waste generated on its premises. This includes segregating waste at source—from promoting recycling and composting, and adopting eco-friendly disposal methods. The Army also actively conducts awareness campaigns and training programmes to inform personnel about the importance of waste reduction and proper disposal methods.
Through its ‘Apashisht Mukt Sainya Abhiyan’ (AMSA) initiative, the Army aims to become a ‘Landfill Free Army’ by March 2027. AMSA will ensure captive solid waste processing infrastructure over the next three years at the cost of approximately 550 crores in all military stations of the Indian Army.
Electric Vehicles
The Indian Army is gradually also looking to replace its vehicle fleet with electric alternatives. Electric Vehicles (EVs) offer numerous environmental benefits, including lower emissions, reduced noise pollution, and decreased reliance on finite fossil fuels.
The Army has begun procuring electric cars, motorcycles, and utility vehicles for various applications, including for administrative and logistics purposes. In effect, the charging infrastructure is being developed across military installations.
The Army has identified approximately 30 stations and 150 establishments/units for the introduction of EVs. It is procuring approximately 60-70 electric buses, 400 electric cars, and 425 electric motorcycles and will likely be inducted by the end of 2025.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Further, in the area of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology, the Indian Army has been exploring the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology. This is mainly to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
The Indian Army is the first government entity to ink an MoU with National Thermal Power Corporation Renewable Energy Limited for the installation of Green Hydrogen-based Microgrid Power Plants along the northern borders.
The Army carried out a pilot project at Chushul in this regard where a 200 Kilo Watt Green Hydrogen-based Microgram provided 24×7 clean electricity to troops deployed in inhospitable terrain and extreme climatic conditions. In its commitment toward fostering innovation and advancing sustainable transport solutions for the future, the Indian Army signed an MoU with IOCL during which the force received a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus.
Solarisation
To harness renewable energy, reduce dependence on non-renewable power sources, lower carbon emissions, and promote environmental sustainability, the Indian Army has completed approximately 70 solar projects generating
Siachen Glacier, known as the highest battlefield in the world, has also been solarised with two round-the-clock solar power plants of 1 megawatt capacity each at Partapur and Base Camp.
Afforestation Drive
The Indian Army celebrated its 75th Independence Day by undertaking large-scale afforestation drives at all military stations.
The Indian Army remains committed towards environment protection and has been focusing on afforestation, water conservation, soil preservation, and the promotion of eco-tourism across India. In J&K and Ladakh, the Indian Army has planted 6.88 crore saplings to date. In 2022 alone, the Army planted two lakh saplings.
It forested around 73,741 hectares of land bringing it under green cover. Furthermore, in the region, the Army has dedicated ten battalions to environmental conservation.
A total of 152 environmental projects have been completed, including the Amrit Sarovar Scheme, which rejuvenated 83 ponds in J&K and Ladakh, with 7 more planned. Military areas and surroundings are now plastic-free zones, and 236 tonnes of waste is collected annually at Siachen Glacier. The ‘Bring Back Non-Bio-Degradable Waste’ policy has also been implemented in high-altitude areas to improve waste management
Aritra Banerjee is a defence and security analyst.