In a significant move towards sustainability and optimal resource utilisation, the Indian Armed Forces are charting a plan to repurpose thousands of acres of currently unutilised defence land across the country for green energy and environmental projects. This ambitious initiative, expected to unfold over the next three to five years, aims to tap into an estimated 46,000 acres of land for generating renewable power and earning carbon credits.
A Multi-Pronged Green Strategy
The options under active consideration are diverse and focused on ecological benefits. The plans include establishing large-scale solar power plants and biogas plants to contribute to India's renewable energy targets. Beyond energy generation, the strategy also encompasses afforestation and floriculture drives. These projects are not just about greening the land but are also designed to generate valuable carbon credits, creating an additional revenue stream while combating climate change.
To bring this vision to life, the defence establishment is forging collaborations with public sector giants. The initial projects will be implemented in partnership with NTPC Green, the green energy arm of the National Thermal Power Corporation. Officials have indicated that other public sector undertakings (PSUs) could also be involved in the future as the programme scales up.
Feasibility First: A Phased and Cautious Approach
The process is being undertaken with meticulous planning. The authorities have engaged a consultant to conduct a detailed feasibility study of the available land parcels. This examination will determine the most suitable project for each specific plot of land. Only after this assessment will the land be made available to central and state governments, as well as allied organisations, for the selected green initiative.
As a pilot project, it has been decided to set up a solar plant on a patch of defence land in a specific state, in collaboration with NTPC Green. A detailed project report (DPR) for this pioneering effort is currently being drafted. Success in this pilot will pave the way for replicating similar green energy projects in other locations under formal agreements with NTPC or other government PSUs.
Policy, Revenue, and Land Integrity
This new initiative aligns with the broader policy framework governing defence land. Historically, such land has been exchanged with state governments for land of equal value elsewhere or for constructing equivalent infrastructure. A 2020 policy approved by the Defence Ministry further stipulated that land needed for public infrastructure could only be provided if the acquirer builds infrastructure of equal value for the defence organisation that owns the land.
Officials revealed that internal discussions are ongoing regarding the potential use of a portion of the revenue generated from these green projects. This income could be channeled to enhance infrastructure for the Defence Forces themselves. However, the final decision on land use and revenue sharing will be taken only after the feasibility studies are completed and examined by all concerned offices.
An important ancillary benefit of this optimisation plan is the enhanced security and integrity of the land. By putting unused parcels to productive use through controlled projects, the forces can prevent encroachment, a problem that has plagued certain defence lands in the past. The move ensures these strategic assets remain under official oversight and are maintained until they are required for core defence purposes in the future.
