Bhopal April 30, 2026. What was once dismissed as barren and dry land is now slowly turning green under an unusual but inspiring initiative led by the Madhya Pradesh Police. In different parts of the state, “Police Eco Projects” are transforming neglected stretches into vibrant ecological spaces through plantations, water conservation, and biodiversity revival efforts. Spearheading this green movement is senior IPS officer and ADG PTS Rajababu Singh, whose vision and persistence have become the driving force behind these environment-focused restoration projects.

The latest initiative, titled “Eco-Project PTS Sagar,” is currently underway on what officials describe as a “war footing.” The project seeks to convert arid and underutilized land within the Police Training School (PTS) campus into a vibrant ecological zone through scientific plantation, water conservation, and sustainable landscape development. According to officials associated with the initiative, the project is not limited to cosmetic beautification. Instead, it represents a deeper attempt to create environmentally resilient landscapes capable of restoring ecological balance while also promoting awareness about sustainability within institutional spaces. For ADG Rajababu Singh, however, this mission is part of a larger environmental journey that began years ago. The officer has already been instrumental in conceptualizing and developing multiple eco-restoration projects, including the notable “Police Eco Project – Datuni Range, Indore.” Undertaken in close coordination with Chief Conservator of Forests, Indore, P. N. Mishra, the initiative demonstrated how degraded terrain could be revived through sustained ecological planning and administrative determination. Officials say the success of the Datuni project provided the confidence and operational model for subsequent initiatives. The transformation witnessed there became a practical example of how barren institutional lands could be reclaimed and converted into productive green ecosystems.

Reflecting on the ongoing efforts, project coordinators point to the example of Project Tighra, where the condition of the land barely a year ago was reportedly even worse than what is currently being witnessed at the Sagar site. The terrain was dry, uneven, and ecologically exhausted, with little vegetation and poor soil conditions. In several stretches, the land had virtually lost its natural vitality due to years of neglect and environmental stress. Yet, under a carefully monitored restoration process, the landscape slowly began to change. Soil treatment measures were undertaken, trenches and water retention systems were developed, and plantation drives were aligned with native ecological conditions. Instead of relying solely on decorative plantation, emphasis was placed on sustainable greenery capable of surviving local climatic challenges. The results, officials say, became visible over time. Green patches began emerging where there had once been barren ground. Moisture retention improved, vegetation cover increased, and the area gradually developed into a more stable ecological zone. The transformation not only altered the physical landscape but also created a powerful example of environmental regeneration through institutional leadership. Those associated with the projects believe that Rajababu Singh’s role has been central to maintaining momentum and ensuring that ecological restoration remains a priority rather than a symbolic exercise. His involvement reportedly extends beyond administrative supervision, encompassing conceptual planning, coordination with forest authorities, and continuous monitoring of on-ground progress.

Environmental observers note that such projects hold increasing significance at a time when rising temperatures, declining groundwater levels, and land degradation are becoming major concerns across several regions of India. By focusing on water conservation, native plantation, and long-term ecological sustainability, these initiatives can help create localized environmental resilience while improving the overall landscape. These projects also represent an evolving role for police institutions in public and environmental service. Large campuses and reserve lands under institutional control are now being viewed not just as operational spaces, but as potential ecological assets capable of supporting green development. Through such efforts, police establishments are contributing to broader sustainability goals while setting examples for other public institutions.

At the ongoing Eco-Project PTS Sagar, preparations are continuing at an accelerated pace. Land development, trenching, moisture conservation, and plantation planning are reportedly progressing simultaneously. Officials involved in the initiative remain optimistic that, much like the earlier projects, the barren terrain at Sagar too will eventually transform into a thriving green landscape. For many who have witnessed these transformations firsthand, the projects symbolize more than environmental restoration. They reflect the power of vision-driven governance, where determined leadership can convert forgotten land into living ecosystems. As these eco-projects continue to grow, the efforts led by ADG Rajababu Singh are increasingly being seen as a unique blend of environmental stewardship, institutional innovation, and sustainable public service. Amid their routine responsibilities of maintaining law and order, controlling crime, and managing traffic, the Madhya Pradesh Police are now emerging as unlikely champions of environmental conservation through a series of eco-restoration initiatives across the state.

Speaking to Swadesh, Rajababu Singh said that while policing remains the primary duty of the force, it is equally important to sensitize police personnel towards growing global challenges such as climate change, global warming, and erratic weather patterns. He said the department has been actively working on projects aimed at preserving ecosystems and restoring depleted biodiversity in barren and semi-desert regions. Under this vision, large-scale plantation and eco-restoration drives have been undertaken at the Police Eco-Project in Tighra near Gwalior, Eco-Project PTS Sagar, and the Police Eco-Project in Datuni Range in Indore. Another major initiative is also being developed in the Dewas Pahari region.

According to Singh, these projects are transforming once dry and barren stretches into green zones through the plantation of summer vegetables, watermelons, fruit-bearing plants, herbal gardens, and indigenous species such as Khejri and Pilu. Green patches developed under the initiatives are expected to help reduce local temperatures while also creating a conducive environment for bird breeding, butterfly habitats, and nesting activities, thereby supporting revival of biodiversity in the region. He informed that the PTS Sagar eco-project alone is spread over nearly five acres of land. Similar efforts in Indore’s Datuni Range and Dewas Pahari are also being expanded steadily with community participation and support from environmental enthusiasts. Singh emphasized that the projects are not merely plantation drives but a larger attempt to encourage an ecological way of life. “Police personnel are visible in every corner of society. If the police adopt and promote environmental responsibility, the public will also draw inspiration from it,” he said. Highlighting the need to reduce carbon footprints and ecological pressure caused by rising population, he stressed the importance of developing household-level ecosystems, food forests, and community plantations. He also referred to preparations linked to Simhastha-2028 in Ujjain, where plantation of nearly one lakh grass saplings around water bodies is being planned as part of broader environmental efforts. Interestingly, the initiatives are being carried out without direct government financial assistance. Environmentalists and local supporters are voluntarily contributing resources, including assistance for drip irrigation systems and maintenance work. Calling for “syncretic living” between humans and nature, Singh said environmental protection can no longer remain the responsibility of governments alone and must evolve into a people-driven movement involving every section of society.