The Indian Army is battling climate change with several environmentally sustainable initiatives, such as solid waste management, the induction of electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell technology, and the construction of the new eco-friendly Thal Sena Bhawan.
Solid Waste Management: The Indian Army's commitment to effective waste management represents a giant leap towards protecting the environment. It includes segregating waste at source, promoting recycling and composting, and using eco-friendly disposal methods. The "Apashisht Mukt Sainya Abhiyan" (AMSA), launched in October 2023, aims to make the army landfill-free by March 2027, ensuring compliance with the government's Solid Waste Management Rules 2016 at a cost of approximately 550 crores across all military stations.
Electric Vehicles: The Indian Army is replacing its diesel-fueled vehicles with electric alternatives in a war against emissions, noise pollution, and reliance on fossil fuels. It is procuring electric-driven cars, motorcycles, and utility vehicles and developing charging infrastructure at military installations. By the end of 2025, the army plans to introduce about 60–70 electric buses, 400 electric cars, and 425 electric motorcycles across 30 stations and 150 establishments.
New Thal Sena Bhawan: The construction of the new Thal Sena Bhawan demonstrates the Force's commitment to sustainable infrastructure. The new headquarters will be built on green building principles such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. Sustainable materials like fly ash bricks and innovative practices like tree transplantation, solar energy harnessing, rainwater harvesting, and solid waste treatment to generate compost are contributing to its climate action.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology: To reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependence, the Indian Army is exploring hydrogen fuel cell technology. On March 21, 2023, it became the first government entity to sign an MoU with NTPC Renewable Energy Limited for green hydrogen-based microgrid power plants. A pilot project at Chushul will provide clean electricity to the troops. On May 27, 2024, an MoU with IOCL introduced a hydrogen fuel cell bus, emphasising innovation in sustainable transport solutions.
