NEW DELHI: The Bareilly Cantonment has emerged as India’s first carbon-negative cantonment, four years ahead of the 2030 target set by defence minister Rajnath Singh during Manthan-2025.The Cantonment Board Bareilly had undertaken a series of transformative initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen environmental sustainability to achieve Rajnath Singh’s vision of carbon neutrality for the cantonment.These initiatives included installation of rooftop solar power systems, adoption of energy-efficient infrastructure, LED lighting, extensive plantation drives, conservation and expansion of green cover, promotion of renewable energy, and the initiation of wind energy projects to further augment clean energy generation.TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS) conducted a comprehensive scientific study titled “Carbon Sequestration Study of Plantation in Bareilly Cantonment Area” to assess the plantation-based carbon sequestration potential of the cantonment and evaluated its net carbon balance. It concluded that the net annual carbon balance of Bareilly Cantonment is approximately (-) 60,386 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, demonstrating that the cantonment absorbs substantially more carbon than it emits.Based on these scientific findings, TERI has declared Bareilly Cantonment as “carbon negative” and observed that the environmental management practices adopted in the cantonment can serve as a replicable model for other cantonments and urban local bodies across India.Speaking on the occasion, Tanu Jain, IDES, Chief Executive Officer, Cantonment Board Bareilly, stated that this recognition is the result of the collective efforts of the board, defence authorities, residents, and all stakeholders committed to building a greener and more sustainable future.
