PIB Summaries 03 February 2025

Content:

1. Gender Budget Allocations in Union Budget of 2025-26
2. World Wetlands Day 2025

Gender Budget Allocations in Union Budget of 2025-26

Context :

• Gender Budget allocation in the total Union Budget increased from 6.8% in FY 2024-25 to 8.86% in FY 2025-26.
  • Total allocation: ₹4.49 lakh crore, a 37.25% increase from ₹3.27 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.

Relevance : GS 2 (Governance & Social Justice),GS 3 (Inclusive Growth & Development).

Expansion of Gender Budgeting Scope:

• More Ministries/Departments reporting Gender Budget allocations:
  • Increased from 38 Ministries/Departments (FY 2024-25) to 49 Ministries/Departments (FY 2025-26).
  • 5 Union Territories (UTs) continue to report allocations.
  • This marks the highest-ever reporting since the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) was introduced.

• New 12 Ministries/Departments included in Gender Budgeting for the first time:
  • Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying
  • Department of Biotechnology
  • Department of Food & Public Distribution
  • Department of Financial Services
  • Department of Fisheries
  • Department of Land Resources
  • Department of Pharmaceuticals
  • Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (RD & GR)
  • Ministry of Food Processing Industries
  • Ministry of Panchayati Raj
  • Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
  • Ministry of Railways

Breakdown of Gender Budget Statement (GBS) Allocation:

• Three categories of allocations in the Gender Budget Statement:
  • Part A (100% women-specific schemes): ₹1,05,535.40 crore (23.50% of total GBS).
  • Part B (30%-99% allocation for women): ₹3,26,672.00 crore (72.75% of total GBS).
  • Part C (below 30% allocation for women): ₹16,821.28 crore (3.75% of total GBS).

Top 10 Ministries/Departments with Over 30% Gender Budget Allocation:

1. Ministry of Women & Child Development – 81.79%
2. Department of Rural Development – 65.76%
3. Department of Food & Public Distribution – 50.92%
4. Department of Health & Family Welfare – 41.10%
5. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy – 40.89%
6. Department of Social Justice & Empowerment – 39.01%
7. Department of Higher Education – 33.94%
8. Department of School Education & Literacy – 33.67%
9. Ministry of Home Affairs – 33.47%
10. Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation – 31.50%

Significance of Gender Budgeting in FY 2025-26:

• Demonstrates a stronger policy commitment towards gender-sensitive budgeting.
• Increased participation of ministries enhances gender mainstreaming across multiple sectors.
• Higher allocation to rural development, education, and healthcare signifies a focus on women’s empowerment and social upliftment.
• Inclusion of new departments such as Railways, Ports, and Financial Services broadens the gender perspective beyond traditional welfare programs.

World Wetlands Day 2025

Context : World Wetlands Day 2025 celebrated at Parvati Arga Ramsar Site highlighted India’s commitment to wetland conservation, eco-tourism, and sustainable livelihoods.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment )

Significance of the Event

• Recognition of Parvati Arga Ramsar Site:
  • International recognition for its rich biodiversity
  • Proposal to link wetland with Sarayu canal for sustaining water flow

• Wetlands as Critical Ecosystems:
  • Support biodiversity, environmental conservation, and sustainable livelihoods
  • Migratory birds play a vital role in maintaining environmental balance

• India’s Growing Ramsar Sites:
  • India now has 89 Ramsar Sites, with four new additions:
    • Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand)
    • Theerthangal (Tamil Nadu)
    • Sakkarakottai (Tamil Nadu)
    • Khecheopalri (Sikkim)
  • Total Ramsar site area now 1.358 million ha
  • Tamil Nadu has the highest number (20), followed by UP (10)

Major Announcements & Initiatives

1. New Nature-Culture Tourism Corridor:
   1. Announced by MoS (MoEFCC) Kirti Vardhan Singh
   1. Corridor between Ayodhya and Devi Patan to boost tourism and employmen

• Wetland Conservation and Development Efforts:
  • UP Government developing Tikri Jungle as an open safari zone
  • Gonda district’s 100+ wetlands may qualify it as a ‘Wetland City’

• Publications Launched:
  • Integrated Management Plan of Parvati Arga Ramsar Site (biodiversity conservation strategy)
  • Factbook of India’s 85 Ramsar Sites (species, values, threats)
  • Development of Van Taungya Villages
  • Video on World Wetlands Day – “Amrit Dharohar”

• MoU with Amazon for Women Entrepreneurs:
  • Amazon to support women-led businesses via Saheli Programme
  • Training in digital marketing, product listing, advertising

• Recognitions & Felicitations:
  • Ramsar Site Managers of four newly designated sites congratulated
  • Painting, Quiz, and Nukkad Natak competition winners felicitated

Background on World Wetlands Day & Amrit Dharohar Initiative

World Wetlands Day (WWD)

• Observed on 2nd February to commemorate the 1971 Ramsar Convention
• India has been a party since 1982

Amrit Dharohar Initiative

• Launched in June 2023 as part of the Union Budget 2023-24
• Objective: Promote Ramsar sites for conservation, employment, and livelihoods
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Species & Habitat Conservation
  • Nature Tourism
  • Wetlands Livelihood
  • Wetlands Carbon