Army plans to acquire more ranges

The ranges include two in Eastern Command costing about Rs 75 crore, two in Northern Command, to be acquired at a cost of Rs 10-12 crore and one each in Western Command and Southern Command, at about Rs 120 crore and Rs 50 crore respectively.

Under its action plan, reportedly approved by Army Headquarters, acquisition under the Ninth Plan has been categorised, with the top priority being Buchchomandi, Kharbutang (both in J and K) and Teesta (West Bengal), followed by Rajkonda (Andhra Pradesh) and Darranga (West Bengal). The third in the order is Naraingarh (Haryana).

The Army’s bottom line requirements also calls for long term notification of 14 field firing ranges (FFR) in different command for a minimum period of 25 years.

There are a total of 92 FFRs in the country, out of which 12 have been acquired by the Army and are under its total control. The rest are made available to the Army through periodic notification by respective state governments under the provisions of the Manoeuvres, Field Firing and Artillery Practice Act, 1938.

The study points out in some cases the notification has expired and is unlikely to be renewed owing to compulsions of the concerned state governments. It notes that FFRs, which at one time were in isolated places, are now heavily encroached upon and at many places considerable development work is going on.

Further, the financial liabilities for notified ranges is heavy, with afforestation costs for the concerned area has to be paid to the Environment Ministry, which works out to about Rs 275 crore.

Also compensation for evacuees, at the rate of Rs 90-100 per family per day, has to be paid.

Since the state governments’ compulsions and reasons for non-notification of FFRs are often at variance with the requirement of the Army, review and suitable modification in the 1938 vintage notification Act has also been recommended.

The study also takes into account the re-classification of ranges based on existing service weaponry and equipment planned to be inducted as well as suitable ranges for firing futuristic missile systems like the Prithvi, MLRS and SMERSH.

An apex management body at the Ministry of Defence level with the Defence secretary as its chairman has also been mooted. Deputy Chief of the Army Staff and equivalent in other services, the joint secretary (training) and a representative from the Ministry of Environment will also be a part of the body.

Where environment sustainence to prevent degradation is concerned, the study has suggested raising a battalion-level Ecology Task Force in each Army command. In fact, a paper prepared by the Army on the ecology of FFRs stated that since the impact area of shells is very small, these ranges can be developed as green belts.