NDA to observe Environment Day on July 16

The National Defence Academy (NDA) will observe July 16 as ‘NDA Environment Day’ with a drive to create awareness amongst the NDA fraternity about the importance of a cleaner and greener Earth.

On July 16, thousands of saplings will be planted by the cadets and others residing on the sprawling campus. A massive clean-up drive has also been planned around the campus.

A press statement from the NDA stated that the academy, which is home to 2,100 cadets, hoped that such initiatives would make cadets realise the importance of preserving ecology. The NDA is a sea of green and houses a large number of wild deer, langurs, hares and jackals, and more than 100 species of birds.

NDA commandant, Lt Gen Jatinder Singh said, “NDA is not only about training. We are aware of our responsibilities towards the environment and are committed to a greener Earth. These initiatives will make the NDA community, especially the cadets, aware of the importance of conservation.”

NDA had observed ‘Earth Hour’ on March 26 this year, and changed from 1 lakh incandescent lamps to CFL to save power. All cadets use only bicycles throughout their tenure on the campus.

Solar panels are used to heat water in the cadets’ mess, and timers are set to switch on/off street lights as per sunset/sunrise timings. The NDA is also a ‘no-smoking, no-horn and no-plastic zone’.

A sewage water treatment plant has been constructed as an environment-friendly and pollution-free measure. The academy plans to construct check dams at various locations to conserve rainwater.