The Indian Army is actively pursuing green initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability in challenging terrains. These efforts include innovative waste management and repurposing discarded materials, particularly in the Siachen region, and undertaking cleanliness drives like the one focused on the Indus River.

One notable example of the Army's innovative approach is the creation of a jacket made from recycled waste collected from the Siachen glacier. This initiative showcases the Army's focus on repurposing discarded materials from Siachen. As a symbolic gesture, the Army gifted this jacket to Tashi Gyalson, the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh. CEC Gyalson commended the Army's innovation and emphasized the need to scale up such projects under the broader vision of “Wealth from Waste”.

The Army's commitment extends to comprehensive waste management at Siachen, where approximately 236 tons of waste is generated annually. This waste includes biodegradable, non-biodegradable non-metallic, and non-biodegradable metallic waste. The Army has implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for patrols and administrative columns, requiring each person to carry 10 to 12 kg of waste. As part of the "Siachen Swachh Abhiyan," the Army has disposed of significant amounts of waste collected from the glacier. The difficulty of waste management at such high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures makes this effort particularly commendable. Plastic waste from Siachen is also transported to Tamil Nadu for recycling into useful products, such as jackets.

In addition to waste management, the Indian Army is collaborating with the LAHDC on a mission-mode cleanliness drive along the Indus River and its tributaries. This collaboration involves cleaning and preserving the ecological sanctity of the Indus River. In December 2023, a team comprising 250 soldiers and 100 community members cleaned a three-kilometer stretch of the Indus River bank, collecting three truckloads of discarded plastic, polythene bags, and bottles. The 'Clean Indus, Green Indus' initiative aims to raise awareness among the community, tourists, and school children about the importance of keeping water bodies clean. The Army's initiative was well-received, with the slogan 'Jawan Aur Awam Hasil Hai Muqam' (Soldier and citizen, together we achieve success) resonating throughout the event.

The Indian Army is also adopting green technologies and practices to minimize its environmental impact. These include:

• Electric Vehicles: The Army is procuring electric buses for troop transportation and plans to introduce electric cars and motorcycles across various stations.
• Green Hydrogen: The Army is partnering with NTPC to establish a Green Hydrogen plant in the Himalayan region, which will power the military garrison at Chushul. They have also introduced green hydrogen buses.
• Solar Energy: The Army employs solar power, wind energy, and fuel cell-based generators to cut down on carbon emissions in areas where conventional power sources are impractical. They have set up numerous solar projects, including at the Siachen base camp.
• Waste Management: The "Apashisht Mukt Sainya Abhiyan" (AMSA) aims to make all military stations landfill-free by promoting waste segregation, recycling, and composting.
• Green Buildings: The new Thal Sena Bhawan is designed to incorporate green building principles such as energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management.

Through these diverse initiatives, the Indian Army is demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and setting an example for other organizations to follow. By integrating green practices into its operations, the Army is showing that environmental responsibility can be maintained alongside security commitments.