The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change provides financial support to States and Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Umbrella Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats.’ This scheme encompasses the sub-components ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats,’ ‘Project Tiger,’ and ‘Project Elephant,’ aiming to conserve wildlife habitats and manage human-wildlife conflicts effectively.
Funding Overview
During the 2024-25 fiscal year, funds have been allocated to various States and UTs under the scheme. The details of these allocations are presented below:
Development of Wildlife Habitats
As of December 11, 2024, a total of ₹10,455.46 lakhs has been distributed to States/UTs. Some highlights include:
- Kerala: ₹909.64 lakhs
- Arunachal Pradesh: ₹696.55 lakhs
- Nagaland: ₹1,044.06 lakhs
- Assam: ₹1,234.46 lakhs
Project Tiger and Project Elephant
For the conservation of tigers and elephants, ₹14,757.48 lakhs has been allocated to States/UTs. Key allocations include:
- Madhya Pradesh: ₹2,213.97 lakhs
- Assam: ₹2,043.60 lakhs
- Kerala: ₹221.37 lakhs
- Tamil Nadu: ₹1,450.53 lakhs
Purpose of the Scheme
The scheme emphasizes the following:
- Wildlife Habitat Conservation: Protecting and restoring wildlife ecosystems.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Management: Addressing issues arising from proximity between wildlife and human settlements.
- Support for Iconic Species: Focused efforts on tiger and elephant conservation through dedicated projects.
State-Specific Funding
Development of Wildlife Habitats (Selected States)
- Karnataka: ₹800.82 lakhs
- Maharashtra: ₹622.07 lakhs
- Tamil Nadu: ₹661.78 lakhs
Project Tiger and Elephant (Selected States)
- Karnataka: ₹783.07 lakhs
- Maharashtra: ₹1,726.12 lakhs
- Uttar Pradesh: ₹1,381.25 lakhs
This information was provided by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, in a written reply during the Rajya Sabha session. The Ministry’s efforts reflect a commitment to wildlife conservation and ecological sustainability across India.
