Environment Ministry Gets A Bigger Budget For FY 2024-25

In the interim Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, the government has allocated Rs 3,265 crore to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), marking a slight uptick from the Rs 3,231 crore earmarked in the previous financial year.

Notably, the ministry's budgetary allocation for the upcoming fiscal year constitutes a mere 0.07 percent of the total estimated expenditure, signalling a nominal increase.

Within the broader spectrum, the budgetary allocation for statutory and regulatory bodies, including the Central Pollution Control Board, the Central Zoo Authority, the National Biodiversity Authority, and the Commission for Air Quality Management, has seen a rise from Rs 158.60 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 192 crore in 2024-25.

However, a contrasting trend is observed in the allocation for autonomous bodies such as the GB Pant Himalayan Institute of Environment and Development, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and the Wildlife Institute of India. This allocation has decreased from Rs 573.73 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 391 crore in 2024-25.

The government has earmarked Rs 450 crore, a notable increase from Rs 350 crore in the previous fiscal year, for the integrated development of wildlife habitats.

Furthermore, the Budget for the National Mission for a Green India focused on enhancing forest cover and safeguarding existing forest land, has experienced a boost from Rs 160 crore to Rs 220 crore.

Shailly Kedia, a senior fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute, expressed her perspective on the budget estimates. She highlighted that the Rs 3,265 crore allocated to the environment ministry represents less than 0.07 percent of the total expenditure for FY 2024-25. She emphasised the need for a commensurate increase in allocation to the MoEFCC, considering India's expanding mandate for environment and climate change.