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

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has been given a sum of Rs 3,265 crore in the recently presented interim Budget for the fiscal year 2024–25. This represents a slight increase over the Rs 3,231 crore allotted in the previous fiscal year. This amount, which represents a meagre 0.07 percent of the entire projected cost, suggests a slight increase in the ministry’s budget.

Funds for statutory and regulatory organisations, such as the Commission for Air Quality Management, the Central Zoo Authority, the Central Pollution Control Board, and the National Biodiversity Authority, have seen an increase within the larger allocation, going from Rs 158.60 crore in 2023–24 to Rs 192 crore in 2024–25.

On the other hand, there has been a discernible decline in the funding allotted to independent organisations like the Wildlife Institute of India, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and the GB Pant Himalayan Institute of Environment and Development, from Rs 573.73 crore in 2023–2024 to Rs 391 crore in 2024–2025.

The amount of money set aside for the integrated improvement of animal habitats has increased significantly—from Rs 350 crore to Rs 450 crore in the previous fiscal year.In addition, the National Mission for a Green India’s funding has increased from Rs 160 crore to Rs 220 crore. This mission aims to increase the amount of forest cover and protect the current forest land.

In his analysis of the budget estimates, Shailly Kedia, a senior scholar at The Energy and Resources Institute, emphasised that the Rs 3,265 crore allotted to the environment ministry represents less than 0.07 per cent of the overall spending for FY 2024–2025. A proportionate increase in funding for the MoEFCC is imperative, she stressed, given India’s growing environmental and climate change mandate.