Contribution of Ecological Task Force of Indian Army

Balwan Nagial @Col Nagial EX commanding Offcier of Eco Task Force

The “Environment” comprises all entities, natural or artificial, external to oneself, and their interrelationships, which provide value to humankind now or perhaps in the future. Environmental concerns relate to their degradation through the actions of human beings. The current environmental situation causes a significant threat to the planet earth. The challenges caused by Global Warming has made the policymakers concerned and plans to get control of the problem. Across all the sections of the country, there has been recognition of the vital role natural resources play in providing livelihoods and securing life support ecological services.

The response to our national commitment to a clean environment, mandated in the Constitution in Articles 48 A and 51 A (g), strengthened by judicial interpretation of Article 21. It is recognised that maintaining a healthy environment is not the state’s responsibility alone but also that of every citizen. A spirit of partnership should thus be realised throughout the spectrum of environmental management in the country. While the state must galvanise its efforts, each individual or institution should also be recognised for its contribution towards maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment.

Indian Army, since independence, has been the protector of the nation in all walks of life. Indian Army has taken the commitment of environment conservation. Its contribution to the National efforts for environment conservation has been recognised many times. The men in Olive Greens have continually made nature their companion and have by tradition subscribed to its conservation and growth. Plush Green Cantonments and Military Stations flourishing with local flora and fauna are the few examples of preserving nature.

The early 80s  were a difficult and challenging period for the delicate ecology of the Shivalik Ranges. The Crowned head of the Shivalik Hills-Mussorie was on the brim of the losing side to its primaeval grandeur due to the mindless and illegitimate mining of limestone. The unsystematic mining activity in the area escalated the rate of desertification. Startled at the environmental dilapidation in the Shivaliks Hills, Dr Norman Borlough, from Wheat and Maize Centre, Mexico, proposed to the former Prime Minister of India, Late Mrs Indira Gandhi, to encompass the Indian Army to bring back the ecological steadiness on a war footing. As the regular IndianArmy could not be employed for the mission, it was agreed that a Territorial Army Unit would be raised to enrol veterans from the region on a Home and Hearth basis with the dual aim of re-settlement Ex-Servicemen and rejuvenation of ecology. So the first Ecological Task Force Battalion was raised on Dec1, 1982. At present, ten such Infantry Battalions (TA) Ecological carry out afforestation activities in rugged and ecological degraded areas in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, J & K, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Assam Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

Ecological Task Force Battalions have been raised under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ministry of Defense in conjunction with states on priority tasks for challenging assignments in the ecologically fragile and sensitive areas. The objective behind starting ETFs was to solve the twin problems of eco – regeneration and rehabilitation of veterans. These Bns use the technical expertise of the particular State Forest Departments (SFD) where they are located to carry out the afforestation and environment-related activities. As per the latest information available so far, ETF Battalions have planted roughly 6.90 crore saplings and covered an area of 72,761 hectares of land, with a 65-70 per cent of survival rate. Various authorities have recognised their exemplary contribution to ecology and have been conferred with various National and State level awards.

The ecological restoration work carried out by the Eco-Task Forces deserves to be applauded as the ex-servicemen who once served the nation with tanks and guns have now once again served the country with spades and that too in challenging areas. The ecological and social impacts of the project activities have been beneficial. Re-vegetation of the area has led to an increase in humidity, reduction in day temperature, checking of dune movement and wind velocity and improving the habitat of local fauna. Socially, the project has been and will be providing usufructs in the form of fuel, wood, fodder and timber to the local communities. At places like Jaisalmer, the sighting of wildlife in the plantation area is a significant change. Pithoragarh witnessed snow after many decades.

It is recommended that each state should have one such Ecological Task Force. Since men of these Bns are physically fit, mentally robust, and well trained; therefore they can be co-opted with Disaster Management activities.

@COL NAGIAL

I am a retired Indian Army Officer and has got interest in National Security, Counterterrorism, international Relations and General Psychology.