The Indian Navy, long committed to environmental responsibility, marked World Environment Day 2025 with an extensive set of initiatives aimed at advancing renewable energy adoption, coastal preservation, and plastic pollution elimination. As part of its Green Initiative Programme, naval units nationwide intensified their sustainability efforts, reaffirming their dedication to minimizing their ecological footprint.
With this year’s global theme focused on ending plastic pollution, the Navy declared all Naval Stations as ‘No Plastic Zones’, prohibiting single-use plastics and launching poster competitions, webinars, and community pledges to promote awareness. Large-scale plastic waste disposal and retrieval operations were conducted in coastal areas, ensuring tangible impact beyond awareness campaigns.
To further strengthen coastal conservation, the Navy is exploring the installation of floating trash barriers to prevent marine debris accumulation. Additionally, biodiversity surveys have been initiated under a memorandum of understanding with The Habitats Trust and HCL Foundation, supporting efforts to revitalize fragile coastal ecosystems.
Recognizing the importance of education in sustainability, naval establishments hosted interactive workshops and lectures, with experts from The Habitats Trust leading discussions on the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine life. Personnel and their families participated in Shramdaan-driven Plastic Collection Drives, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to environmental restoration.
The Navy also intensified its nationwide beach clean-up operations, mobilizing Naval, DSC, and Defence civilian personnel to remove non-biodegradable waste and enhance coastal resilience. Complementing these efforts were tree re-plantation drives, focusing on transplanting two- to seven-year-old trees using advanced techniques to maximize carbon sequestration and ecosystem recovery.
One of the Navy’s most ambitious undertakings is its phased mangrove plantation expansion, reinforcing coastal barriers against storms, floods, and erosion. With the involvement of leading mangrove specialists, assessments of existing plantations have begun, alongside fresh afforestation campaigns aimed at fortifying India’s maritime regions.
As India intensifies its sustainability agenda, the Indian Navy remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard marine ecosystems, advance renewable energy adoption, and integrate sustainability into military operations. With these measures, the Navy continues to play a pivotal role in environmental stewardship, setting a strong precedent for defense-led climate resilience.
