Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said there will be a green budget that will focus on protecting the ecology of the state. After taking unconventional and unique steps like banning garlands at public functions and guard of honour, the Chief Minister has turned to the environment by announcing that he will come up with a ‘green budget’ to make up for ecological losses every year in Karnataka.

Addressing the  National Forest Martyrs’ Day event in Bengaluru, he said “the forest department in the state should start assessing the total green loss every year so that budgetary allocation can be made. This is the first time such a provision will be made. It’s frightening to know ecological degradation of the last two decades is equivalent to what occurred over the last 2,000 years,” 

This is for the first time the state will implement the idea of a green budget at a time when it, like many other places, witnessed unprecedented floods, landslips, heat waves, coastal erosion and unseasonal rains. Speaking at a function, he said he is willing to take a step towards mitigating the disastrous effects of the ecological disturbances, triggered by “ill-conceived projects and policies”. “We hope it will help recover 50- 60 percent of the loss and ensure a sustainable life for the next generation. The green cover in the state stands at 43 lakh hectares, i.e. 21.5 percent, which is lower than the national average of 33 percent. It should be increased,” he added.

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