The allocation to Environment Ministry shows an increase of Rs630.70 crore in 2013-2014, which is a hike of 31.54 per cent from the Budget last year. This is, however, 0.001 per cent of the total budgeted expenditure of Rs16, 65,297 crore in the coming fiscal. The increase in allocation in the Green Ministry Budget is largely under the head of planned expenditure with Rs2,430 crore as against Rs1,800 crore in 2012-13.
While the National River Conservation Plan has got one of the highest allocation of Rs180.71 crore, the allocation for on Wildlife preservation has come as a disappointer with a mere increase of Rs38.45 crore. Further at a time when poaching is the biggest threat to wildlife conservation, control of Wildlife crime has got a bare increase of Rs42 lakhs.
The green concerns of the Government have however been reflected through allocation of additional components in other Ministries. A new scheme for effluent disposal by Textile Industry worth Rs500 crore has been announced under 12th plan. Rs50 crore will be provided in 2013-14 for the scheme.
Other major focus of the Budget is on green energy and renewable energy options. The non-conventional wind energy sector will be given incentives. The Ministry of Non Renewable Energy will be provided Rs800 crore under "generation-based incentive" for wind energy projects, to give thrust to green energy options. There are also provisions in the Budget to support municipalities that will implement waste-to-energy projects under PPP mode.
The environmental experts across the country are not happy with the Budget. According to Kishore Rithe, Standing Committee member of National Board for Wildlife, the focus of the budget is on infrastructural development, mining and energy projects.
"These will put tremendous pressure on wildlife corridors outside the 618 protected areas and 41 Tiger Reserves. However there is no allocation for addressing the adverse impacts or mitigation measures. In such situations, the incidents of man animal conflicts would be further aggravated", he pointed out.
Sunita Narain from Centre for Science and Environment regretted that the environment has been reduced to waste technologies that will not work. It only reflects the Government's complete lack of understanding of the mechanisms of garbage disposal affecting our cities, she said.
