Gujarat is facing rising environmental stress year after year, with drought-like conditions, extreme heat, and other climate-related disruptions becoming more frequent. Climate change is no longer a distant threat for the state — it is already reshaping livelihoods, agriculture, water availability and public health.
Yet, despite the scale of this challenge, the Gujarat government has once again stopped short of making a major financial commitment to climate action. Even this year, the long-discussed demand for a Rs. 500 crore allocation for the Climate Change Department has not been met.
In the state budget for 2026–27, Gujarat has earmarked only Rs. 429 crore for the Climate Change Department. While this is slightly higher than last year’s allocation of Rs. 419 crore, the increase is only Rs.10 crore — a minimal rise at a time when climate risks are intensifying rapidly.
Environmental experts have repeatedly pointed out that incremental funding may not be enough when the state is battling worsening heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Moreover, out of the Rs. 429 crore provision, the biggest chunk — Rs. 278 crore — has been set aside for installing solar rooftop systems on government office buildings. The move is aimed at promoting renewable energy and reducing dependence on conventional power sources.
However, critics argue that while solar infrastructure is important, climate adaptation requires much broader investments, including water security, heat mitigation, and disaster preparedness.
Furthermore, the budget also includes Rs.16 crore as subsidy support for the purchase of battery-powered two-wheelers and three-wheelers. This is part of Gujarat’s push toward cleaner mobility, though the scale remains limited compared to the growing need for mass sustainable transport solutions.
In addition, Rs.12 crore has been allocated for setting up biogas plants in around 70 institutions, including cow shelters, animal pens and educational institutions. The initiative is expected to encourage cleaner fuel use and reduce waste.
The government has also proposed Rs. 9 crore for “climate experiment learning” programmes for school children, aimed at building awareness among younger generations.
Another Rs.7 crore has been kept for establishing around 1,200 crematorium-related facilities, while Rs. 5 crore has been allocated for accelerating green startup initiatives in Gujarat.
These steps reflect an attempt to combine environmental awareness with small-scale green development, though they remain fragmented rather than part of a larger climate roadmap.
The budget also mentions plans for an IoT-based monitoring system for solar rooftop and wind-hybrid systems installed on government buildings. Such monitoring is expected to improve efficiency and performance tracking of renewable energy projects.
While Gujarat acknowledges climate change as a major challenge, the financial provisions suggest a cautious approach rather than an aggressive response. With heat extremes, water shortages and ecological stress rising across the state, environmental observers question whether an allocation of Rs. 429 crore — with only a Rs. 10 crore increase from last year — matches the urgency of the crisis.
As climate threats grow sharper, the gap between policy statements and budgetary priority is becoming harder to ignore.
Also Read: Gujarat Unveils Record Rs. 4.08 Lakh Crore Budget With Heavy Emphasis On Sports and Infrastructure https://www.vibesofindia.com/gujarat-unveils-record-rs-4-08-lakh-crore-budget-with-heavy-emphasis-on-sports-and-infrastructure/
