Budget 2026: Climate Crisis Overshadows Pollution Control Funding Cuts
The Indian government’s 2026-27 Budget reflects a concerning trend in pollution control funding amidst a growing climate crisis. The budget allocated Rs 1,091 crore for pollution control, a significant reduction from last year’s allocation of Rs 1,300 crore.
Impact of Funding Cuts on Pollution Control
This funding decrease highlights the challenges facing public health initiatives. India continues to combat worsening air quality and related health emergencies. In 2024-25, the revised budget estimate initially set at Rs 854 crore saw actual spending plummet to just Rs 16 crore.
Climate and Environmental Budgets
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) received an allocation of Rs 3,759.46 crore for the fiscal year. This represents an increase of approximately Rs 278 crore, or about 8%, compared to the 2025-26 estimate of Rs 3,481.61 crore. However, the increase remains insufficient given India’s substantial climate vulnerabilities and international obligations.
Allocation Breakdown
A detailed look at the budget reveals adjustments rather than transformative investments:
- Capital expenditure rose from Rs 174.39 crore to Rs 222.80 crore to support infrastructure for research and environmental monitoring.
- Revenue expenditure showed minimal growth, focusing mainly on existing institutions and regulatory frameworks.
- Increased funding for subordinate offices, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT), aims to address rising environmental litigation.
Priorities in Pollution Abatement
Pollution control remains a priority with Rs 1,091 crore allocated to pollution control boards and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). However, this amount is lower than the previous year’s allocations, indicating urgent resource constraints amid ongoing air quality challenges.
Forestry and Wildlife Sector Funding
In the forestry and wildlife sector, funding shows mixed results. The National Mission for a Green India has been allocated Rs 212.50 crore, a significant increase from the previous year’s low of Rs 95.7 crore. Yet, this still falls short of previous funding levels for ambitious environmental goals.
The allocations for Project Tiger and Project Elephant remain steady at Rs 290 crore, while initiatives for wildlife habitat see limited growth. This cautious funding approach comes as extreme weather events increase in frequency, placing additional strain on local and state resources.
Conclusion
India’s rising vulnerability to climate change calls for more robust financial commitments. Experts argue that the current budget merely restores previous expenditure rather than fostering new initiatives to combat the climate crisis. Enhanced funding is crucial for land restoration, forest expansion, and improving air and water quality.
