As guardians of maritime frontiers, the Indian Navy deploys ships, submarines and aircraft that consume energy resources for operational roles. With diminishing energy resources, price volatility and to minimise the impact of fossil fuels on the environment, there is an emerging and compelling need to ensure optimal utilisation of these resources and ‘stretch each rupee to the maximum’ by increasing operational efficiency of maritime platforms and associated administrative processes within the Navy. Accordingly, the Indian Navy has embarked on an ambitious path of whole heartedly embracing ‘Green Initiatives’. Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, has stressed on the need to implement measures which would cover all aspects – operations, administration, maintenance, infrastructure and community living.

            To start with, a framework to measure the energy consumption level has been initiated. Based upon its findings, future energy reduction goals would be identified. In addition, the Admiral has directed that all future plans for augmentation and acquisition of assets/infrastructure projects would incorporate concepts of energy efficiency from the ab initio stages.  Sustainable green technologies/norms based on GRIHA and LEEDS are being adopted to include Green fuels, MARPOL compliance, alternative energy & power. On the infrastructure and community living projects, the key result areas (KRAs) include Green buildings, Waste Recycling & Management, Water Conservation & Harvesting, renewable/alternative energy and power, environmental remediation etc. with an aim to achieve a ‘zero carbon foot print’.

            As a pioneering initiative the Karwar Naval Base (Project Seabird) is being planned holistically to embrace resource (water, energy and material) conservation to ensure environment friendly and green facility for the future Indian Navy. (It may be recalled that Karwar Naval harbour situated South of Goa, is a 100% MARPOL compliant port).

            In various ships and shore establishments, energy efficiency is being improved through regular energy audits and use of energy efficient equipments viz. LEDs, CFLs etc. Exhaustive guidelines in form of a “Energy Conservation Roadmap” have also been drawn up to implement the “Green Initiatives” and all the formations have been directed by Naval Headquarters to closely monitor the progress. 

            Awareness drives and programs on “Energy Conservation and Environment Protection” are being organised regularly in all the formations and commands of the Navy to integrate the philosophy of energy and environment consciousness amongst all echelons of the Service. The Indian Navy is confident that these steps would go a long way to add the much needed “Green Footprint” to its blue water capabilities. Indian Navy is ‘committed and geared up’ to march towards pursuance of the Energy and Environment goals of our country to ensure a ‘greener an cleaner tomorrow for our future generations’.

DKS/AK                                                                                                                     18/2014