NGO stresses on increased spending on environment

Paryavaran Mitra held its 47th lecture on 'Environment, Forest and Budget' on Saturday at Yuvak Vikas Trust. The lecture is part of its initiative, Climate Change Lecture Series. Mahender Jethmalani, programme director of NGO Patheya, was the speaker at the meet.

According to Jethmalani, out of Gujarat's total state budget of Rs81,279.98 cr, only 0.62% is allocated to the forest and environment department. He highlighted the budgeting aspects under various departments dealing with environmental issues in Gujarat.  Jethmalani added, "We have 26 departments which function for environment conservation. The climate change department is a member of this group for merely two years and the budget allotted to these departments is dismal."

Jethmalani called for an increase in the budget allotment for environmental activities. "The government spends a minimal sum of Rs505.26 cr on ecological conservation which is not sufficient for Gujarat which has 10.40% wasteland and 26 sanctuaries. If one needs to maintain these efficiently, the budget needs to be increased," he said.