Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav on Saturday described the Union Budget 2026–27 as youth-centric and forward-looking, stating that it strikes a vital balance between economic growth and ecological sustainability while advancing the vision of a developed India.
The Union Budget 2026–27 was presented in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Commending the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Shri Bhupender Yadav said the Budget lays a strong foundation for environmentally sound growth in a rapidly expanding economy.
The Minister said the Budget reflects the aspirations of every citizen for a safe, secure and prosperous future. He described it as a people’s Budget that charts a clear path for empowering the poor, farmers, youth, women, the middle class and entrepreneurs, while ensuring long-term ecological balance.
Highlighting the environmental initiatives in the Budget, Shri Yadav said it includes significant measures for conservation, biodiversity protection and climate action. He noted the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance and the decision to host the first-ever Global Big Cat Summit in India this year as landmark steps towards strengthening global biodiversity conservation efforts.
The Minister said special emphasis has been placed on nature-based tourism to promote conservation awareness alongside livelihoods. Under this initiative, dedicated Turtle Trails will be developed at major turtle nesting sites in Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala. In addition, new bird-watching trails will be created around Pulicat Lake. These initiatives, he said, will foster awareness, pride and a sense of ownership among citizens towards India’s rich natural heritage and biodiversity.
Shri Yadav also highlighted the proposed Rare Earth Corridors to be established in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These corridors will promote sustainable mining, processing and manufacturing of rare earth elements, reduce import dependence and strengthen India’s strategic mineral security while adhering to environmental safeguards.
The Budget, he said, has announced a six-year mission to develop climate-resilient seeds for pulses including tur, urad and masoor, aimed at enhancing agricultural sustainability and improving resilience to climate variability. He also pointed to the proposal for integrated development of 500 reservoirs to strengthen the fisheries value chain and support livelihoods in coastal and inland regions.
On urban sustainability, Shri Yadav said the Budget has announced an Urban Challenge Fund of ₹1 lakh crore to support practical and innovative urban projects, including climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This, he said, will help cities address environmental challenges while improving quality of life.
The Minister further welcomed the allocation of ₹20,000 crore over the next five years for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage technologies, describing it as a major step towards decarbonisation and fulfilment of India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Shri Yadav noted that the expanded National Manufacturing Mission will focus on building a domestic ecosystem for electric vehicle batteries, solar photovoltaic cells, electrolyzers and wind turbines, reinforcing India’s transition to green mobility and clean energy. He also highlighted the plan to operationalise 20 new national waterways over the next five years, which will help reduce the carbon footprint of logistics and promote environmentally friendly transport.
Concluding his remarks, Shri Bhupender Yadav said the measures announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, combined with the government’s sustained efforts to balance Prakriti and Pragati, will place India among nations where development progresses alongside protection of the environment and biodiversity.
