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Environment Budget 2026: 10 Major Announcements You Should Know

Environment Budget 2026: 10 Major Announcements
Photo credit: Ground Report

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed Parliament for the ninth consecutive time today to present the Union Budget 2026-27. She said that since the Modi Government took office, the economy has maintained stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth, and moderate inflation.

India faces rising heat. Extreme weather strikes more often. Floods, droughts, and heat waves hit millions of people every year. The environment budget shows how seriously the government takes these problems.

This budget covers renewable energy, forest protection, clean air programs, and climate action. Let’s see what the government announced for India’s environment.

Important points

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu will establish dedicated rare earth corridors to boost mineral extraction and processing.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Indiaโ€™s disease burden is shifting toward non-communicable diseases. The Budget proposes Biopharma Shakti, with โ‚น10,000 crore over five years to boost biotech and pharma. The government will strengthen the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation to meet global standards.

The Budget supports establishing rare earth corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Rare earth minerals are critical for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar technology.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced ecologically sustainable trails in multiple regions. The government will develop mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir to protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems.

The government will establish turtle trails in Odisha and Kerala to protect endangered sea turtle nesting sites and promote coastal eco-tourism.

FM Sitharaman announced that India will host the first Global Big Cat Summit in 2026, in which heads of government and ministers from 95 countries will participate.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to create 500 reservoirs and Amrut Sarovars (sacred ponds) to boost fisheries.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of NIMHANS 2.0 to improve mental health treatment, especially in North India.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the provision of 4,000 electric buses for the Northeast under Mission Purvodaya.

The government allocated โ‚น20,000 crore for carbon capture and utilization in steel, cement, and other high-emission industries to reduce carbon footprint.

India wants to lead the world on climate. But the country also needs to grow its economy and provide cheap energy to its people. This budget balances both needs. The real test starts now. The government must deliver on these promises. Climate change will not wait for next year’s budget.


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