Padma Shri Umashankar Pandey, renowned environmentalist and activist, graced the World Environment Day celebrations held at the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE) in New Delhi. The event, which marked the nation’s continued commitment to environmental protection and preservation, highlighted the Armed Forces’ dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable practices nationwide.
The event was commemorated with a large-scale tree plantation drive, symbolizing the Armed Forces’ proactive stance on environmental preservation. Senior officers of the Defence Estates Department, DGDE personnel, students from local cantonment schools, and civilian staff enthusiastically participated in the initiative. The plantation drive was followed by an environmental awareness rally, thematic exhibitions, and interactive sessions addressing contemporary ecological concerns.
Padma Shri Umashankar Pandey: ‘Environment protection is a collective duty of all citizens.’
In his keynote address, the Padma Shri awardee emphasized that environmental protection is not solely a government mandate but a shared national obligation. He emphasized the crucial importance of citizen-led initiatives, including water conservation, afforestation, and sustainable community practices.
“Efforts like water conservation and tree plantation at the grassroots level are the most significant contributions towards saving the planet.” – Padma Shri Umashankar Pandey
Asserting the urgency of nationwide institutional reforms, Shri Pandey proposed the establishment of a National Water University, an initiative he has formally recommended to the central government. He further advocated the development of Water Libraries and Water Museums to cultivate a culture of water consciousness and resource management among younger generations.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Coastal Guard (ICG) had already reaffirmed its commitment to the global cause of #BeatPlasticPollution, signifying the awareness of World Environment Day to the Indian Armed Forces.
DGDE’s Commitment to Ecological Sustainability
Director General Defence Estates, Shri S.N. Gupta, reiterated that environmental conservation is embedded in the core operational ethos of the Defence Estates Organisation. He detailed the DGDE’s strategic initiatives, including:
- Green Zone Development across cantonments to increase vegetative cover and reduce urban heat islands.
- Rainwater Harvesting Systems to optimize groundwater recharge.
- Solid Waste Management Protocols tailored for cantonment-based infrastructure.
DGDE Gupta noted that these initiatives are aligned with national objectives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Jal Shakti Abhiyan, contributing directly to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a clean and green India.
Furthermore, under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign—a plantation drive launched to honor motherhood through environmental action—Cantonment Boards under DGDE have planted over 640,000 saplings nationwide. This initiative alone is a substantial contribution to India’s National Green Mission and urban forestry efforts.
Additionally, Shri Gupta highlighted that the DGDE was awarded Third Rank at the National Level in the category of Public Participation in Water Conservation Campaigns, as recognized by the Government of India. This distinction affirms DGDE’s leadership in community-driven environmental governance and groundwater preservation.
Collective Pledge To Protect The Environment and A Unified Vision
The event concluded with a unified environmental pledge by all attendees, reinforcing institutional and individual responsibility toward environmental preservation and conservation. Senior officials from across the Defence Estates Department were present, lending both administrative and symbolic support to the campaign.
The event also served as a platform to align military infrastructure management with sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), further integrating defense operations with national and global environmental frameworks.
Strategic Significance Of The Event
Events like these hold strategic relevance beyond symbolism. Cantonment Boards administer over 62,000 acres of land in urban India, making their environmental practices crucial to urban planning and ecological balance. The DGDE’s efforts not only promote a greener military footprint but also act as a model for sustainable civic administration.
World Environment Day, observed globally under the umbrella of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), serves as an annual reminder of the need for environmental action. This year’s theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience,” aligns closely with the DGDE’s mission in maintaining sustainable land use within cantonments.
