ECO-battalion in Marathwada to tackle drought situation

Drought—prone Marathwada will very soon experience systematic tree plantation and formation of water reservoirs through eco-battalion or eco-troop of the Territorial Army. Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said his ministry is considering appointing an eco-battalion in Marathwada.

After attending a meeting at the office of state finance minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar, at Mantralaya, Mr Parrikar said that his ministry is thinking of sorting out issues through eco-troops. “We are seriously considering appointing an eco-battalion in Marathwada but it is at a primary stage.” He added that such eco-troops have already been deployed for the “Clean Ganga” campaign.

Mr Parrikar said that all districts in Marathwada are sparsely forested and there is need for forestation for which, an eco-battalion will be established through the defence ministry to look after plantation and take care of drought-like situations.

Elaborating on the term “eco-troop”, a senior officer from the forest department said that the Territorial Army (TA) is the Indian Army’s civilian line of defence – a volunteer corp of civilians who receive minimal amount of military training every year alongside their normal jobs. One branch of static duty is ecological restoration and ecological battalions lead the charge in this regard.

These eco-troops are usually involved in afforestation and eco-restoration programmes, combating environmental degradation in areas affected.