Lucknow: Bareilly Cantonment has emerged as India’s first Carbon-Negative Cantonment, setting a benchmark for urban environmental management and climate action.During Manthan-2025, defence minister Rajnath Singh had set the target for Bareilly Cantonment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 through sustainable environmental management practices, renewable energy initiatives, and enhancement of green infrastructure.This remarkable achievement has been realized under the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Dr. Tanu Jain, IDES, Chief Executive Officer, Cantonment Board Bareilly.The Cantonment Board, Bareilly, under Tanu Jain, IDES, chief executive officer, undertook a series of transformative initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening environmental sustainability.These initiatives included installation of rooftop solar power systems in Cantonment Board establishments, adoption of energy-efficient infrastructure and LED lighting, extensive plantation drives, conservation and expansion of green cover.A comprehensive scientific study was carried out by TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS), New Delhi which assessed the plantation-based carbon sequestration potential of the Cantonment and evaluated its net carbon balance.TERI observed that the environmental management practices adopted in Bareilly Cantonment can serve as a replicable model for other Cantonments and Urban Local Bodies across India.
