Sources said the finance ministry did not find "the department-wise project proposals encouraging at all". An official in the environment ministry said the Budget allocation this year has been increased by only 1%. The ministry would continue to approach the Planning Commission for funds, he said.

NGOs are, however, cashing in on "the government apathy". Wildlife Trust of India claimed it helped forest guards with "equipment kit containing items like jackets, sleeping bags, torches, water bottles, raincoats etc". The state governments should provide these. NGOs were also provide medical insurance of Rs 1,00,000 against permanent disability or death and training to thwart poaching activities to the forest guards.

The WTI claimed to be equipping about 16,000 forest guards in 59 reserves every year. DU pro vice-chancellor CR Babu has another story to tell of government apathy. "One exotic plant, brought from Mexico by the British to stop spread of desert in Delhi is actually pushing the groundwater table down. The plant, prosopis juliflora, soaks sub-soil moisture killing most plants, but the government is doing nothing about it," Babu said.