India’s environmental policies are under examination, as the budget 2026-27 reduces air quality and pollution control allocations. Although the total budget for the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) increased slightly, funding for addressing air quality and pollution declined. The budget presented on February 1 indicated that the ministry’s total budget increased by approximately 10 percent to ₹3,759.46 crore, exceeding the 2025-26 estimates. However, some important groups that work on air quality received less funding or only a little more.

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Less Money for Air Quality Management

Funding for air quality management declined by nearly 10 percent in 2026–27. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which works to control air pollution in Delhi and nearby areas, got ₹35.26 crore, which is less than the ₹38.98 crore allocated in 2025–26.

Experts say that changes in funding can impede long-term planning and the implementation of pollution control measures. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the principal body in India for monitoring pollution, received ₹123 crore for 2026–27, which is slightly less than in 2025–26, but more than the Revised Estimate (RE) of ₹116 crore.

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More Support for Conservation Plans

Unlike funding for air pollution, several conservation plans received much more funding. Project Tiger and Project Elephant together received ₹290 crore, almost double the ₹153 crore from last year, indicating that the government is committed to protecting wildlife.

Environmental experts argue that although funding is essentially unchanged, not increasing funding for the CPCB may hinder its ability to monitor pollution, ensure regulatory compliance, and support state pollution control boards as air quality problems intensify.

Funds for protecting biodiversity increased substantially, from ₹4 crore to ₹10 crore. The Green India Mission–National Afforestation Programme also received additional funding, rising to ₹170 crore. The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board got ₹4.99 crore, which is more than the ₹3.2 crore from last year.

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Focus on Forests and Wildlife

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) got ₹32.18 crore, which is more than the ₹25.16 crore from last year, but less than the ₹36.75 crore for 2025–26. Additionally, funds for the suppression and management of forest fires increased to ₹40 crore from ₹33.25 crore in the previous year.

These increases suggest that the government is prioritizing the protection of nature. However, experts warn that the budget 2026-27 reduces air quality and pollution control allocations, which could undermine efforts to clean up cities and protect public health if not addressed in the future.

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