They also appreciated the finance minister Arun Jaitley for setting aside Rs 100 crore for the 'national adaptation fund' on climate change and increasing cess on coal from Rs 50 to Rs 100 per tonne to enlarge the 'National Clean Energy Fund' kitty.

But they, at the same time, pointed out that the finance minister did not spell out what will be done with the money. Huge amount of fund had either been remained unutilized or been spent on many unsuccessful small projects during the previous government and therefore it remained a big concern for environmentalists and green groups.

Sunita Narain, director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said, "The recognition that the climate change is real and the need to adapt is urgent is a very important message of the Budget. While it can be argued that this is too little, it is also a fact that this is a first step to recognize the need to invest in building resilience of poor communities against climate change."

But, she questioned the absence of direction in the finance minister's statement. She asked, "What will this money be used for?"

UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) chairman R K Pachauri too appreciated the move. He, however, said the Rs 100 crore would need to be scaled up in the coming years and various models of co-finance should be explored with varying centre-state contributions.

"A designated ministry for handling of this fund needs to be identified and a process for disbursement for support of adaptation activities should be detailed," said Pachauri, chief executive of the Delhi-based TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute).

Asked about the direction in which the government should move while taking adaptation measures, he said the most critical requirement was to see that we create adequate capacity at every level of the government and every sector of the economy.

"Clearly, the agriculture is perhaps the most important one," said the IPCC chairman. He emphasized on better management of water resources so that it can be available in water scarcity scenario. "Whole management of water cycle has to improve substantially (under the adaptation measures)," he said.

Speaking about enhanced clean energy cess on coal, which is used to capitalize 'National Clean Energy Fund', CSE's chief Narain said, "The finance minister did not spell out what will be done with this money. Currently, roughly Rs 3,000-3,500 crore is collected in the Fund, but not much is spent."

She emphasized that the National Clean Energy Fund is important as it signals the need to make dirty coal more expensive to use.

"It is even more important as it is money that should be invested in renewable energy projects that meet the needs of the poorest. But this is not done. Instead, the money is frittered away in many small projects," she said.

The CSE chief also expressed her concerns over "absence of direction" on the issue of transportation. She said, "Transportation is an important focus area, but the Budget 2014-15 does not provide directions that will work."

"The finance minister sets aside Rs 100 crore for metro projects in Lucknow and Ahmedabad. But the fact is that metro systems cost anywhere between Rs 150 crore to Rs 300 crore per km to build. So, is this Rs 100 crore going to build one km or just go into feasibility studies," she asked.

Referring to the energy sector, TERI in its reaction over the budget appreciated the finance minister's effort to bring solar energy into focus, but questioned its silence over the other clean energy sources.

TERI also strongly welcomed the setting up a National Centre for Himalayan Studies in Uttarakhand.

"The Centre should be multi-disciplinary in nature looking into all aspects of research and implementation linked to the Mountain Ecosystems and people, including glacial, water resources, agriculture, biodiversity and social aspects," it said.

It also said, "Since it is difficult to build institutions which attain high standards and attract high class talent, the proposed Center should function as a networking arrangement to harness the capacity and talents available in existing institutions."