Why Union Budget is not good in environmental terms 

News: Indian government at Glasgow CoP26 has set targets like achieving Net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and Reduction of one billion carbon emissions by 2021 to 2030, etc.

However, the recent budget does not have provisions that would help it achieve these. 

What are the issues in the present Budget wrt environment conservation? 

Reduced budgetary allocation: Union budget of this year has reduced the budgetary allocation for the statutory body Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), National Clean Air Programme, statutory and autonomous bodies under environment ministry.  

Budget allocation for Climate Action Plan is also very low for controlling any kind of natural calamity. 

Budget of the National Coastal Mission has also been reduced, which is responsible for the protection of coastal areas from natural disasters. This will leave these areas more exposed to natural disasters. 

Budget has announced the Gati Shakti project worth Rs one lakh crore for developing infrastructure in the country. According to Land Conflict Watch (a data research agency), the expansion of infrastructure projects often cause severe damage to the environment.  

Budget has also announced huge sum of allocation for the project connecting the Ken and Betwa rivers. Environmentalists are wary that it may damage the natural environment. There is also an apprehension that it may increases the incidence of floods. This is due to the fact that a river or stream flows naturally in a certain direction and if an attempt is made to change it, after some time it returns to its natural course. 

What is the possible impact? 

Reduction in the budget allocation of environmental organisations and regulatory boards will also to neglect of environmental protection measures. 

Source: This post is based on the article “Why Union Budget is not good in environmental terms” published in Down to earth on 14^th Feb 2022.