Indian Army on Monday commemorated World Environment Day by organising an ‘Environment Seminar’ and a ‘Display cum Exhibition’ at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt. This central function marked the culmination of a series of environment awareness campaigns and cleanliness drives conducted from third week of May 2023 across all military stations of the Indian Army.
The function was presided over by Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, Vice Chief of Army Staff, and was attended by Lieutenant General Rajinder Dewan, Quarter Master General of Indian Army, Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Material of Indian Navy, Air Marshal RK Anand, Air Officer in charge of Administration and other senior officers of three Services and Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
A seminar titled ‘Olive Green-Defending Green’ was organised in which eminent environmentalists delivered talks on critical environmental issues like Waste Management, Lifestyle for Environment and Net Zero Homes & Offices. Mr Syed Asad Ali Warsi, the “force” behind emulatory Indore’s Solid Waste Management Model shared his expertise and experiences on ‘Integrated Approach to Solid Waste Management to Achieve Circular Economy’. Dr OP Agarwal, a veteran IAS officer lucidly explained the requirements of ushering in behavioural & cultural changes in tune with Lifestyle for Environment. Major General SS Patil, who conceptualised, planned & executed a ‘Zero Waste to Landfills’ waste management model at Udhampur Military Station shared his success story with the house. Mrs Radhika Anand, an eminent environmentalist gave practicable & simple solutions towards achieving ‘Net Zero Homes & Offices’.
Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar in his closing remarks urged all to lead a compatible lifestyle for the environment and segregate waste at source. He also re-affirmed Indian Army’s continued impetus towards de-carbonisation & sustainable development.
In a thematic ‘Display cum Exhibition’, ‘Green Magic in Urban Lifestyle’ – a concept of creating green spaces within urban confines by volunteer Urban Gardeners of NCR was showcased. Green Hydrogen and renewable energy technologies were displayed by NTPC. Indian Army’s Eco-Territorial Army battalion’s efforts on Namami Gange project and ecological restoration of Himalaya also featured in the Exhibition.