NEW DELHI: Bareilly Cantonment has achieved a landmark milestone in environmental sustainability by emerging as India’s first Carbon-Negative Cantonment, setting a benchmark for urban environmental management and climate action across the country. This remarkable achievement has been realized under the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of Dr Tanu Jain, IDES, Chief Executive Officer, Cantonment Board Bareilly.
During Manthan-2025, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri had envisioned and set a target for Bareilly Cantonment to achieve Carbon Neutrality by the year 2030 through sustainable environmental management practices, renewable energy initiatives, and enhancement of green infrastructure. Guided by this vision, the Cantonment Board Bareilly 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, promotion of renewable energy, and the initiation of wind energy projects to further augment clean energy generation.
A comprehensive scientific study titled “Carbon Sequestration Study of Plantation in Bareilly Cantonment Area” was carried out by TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS), New Delhi. The study assessed the plantation-based carbon sequestration potential of the Cantonment and evaluated its net carbon balance.
The key findings of the study revealed that:
• Plantation areas within Bareilly Cantonment store approximately 1.89 lakh tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
• The annual carbon sequestration potential of the plantation cover is approximately 61,128 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year.
• 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.”
This achievement comes nearly four years ahead of the 2030 target envisioned during Manthan-2025 and reflects the sustained efforts of the Cantonment Board towards environmental conservation, renewable energy adoption, enhancement of green cover, and climate-resilient development.
TERI has further 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.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Tanu Jain stated that this recognition is the result of the collective efforts of the Cantonment Board, defence authorities, residents, and all stakeholders committed to building a greener and more sustainable future. She reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to further strengthening renewable energy initiatives and environmental stewardship in the years ahead.
The declaration of Bareilly Cantonment as India’s first Carbon-Negative Cantonment marks a historic achievement and reinforces its position as a national leader in sustainable development and climate action.
