The Central Government has deployed significant funding toward Maharashtra climate change projects, focusing on drought-proofing the Vidarbha and North Maharashtra regions and fortifying the coastline against rising sea levels.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the house that multiple adaptation initiatives under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) are currently underway in the state.
Responding to a query by MP Sunetra Ajit Pawar regarding funds allocated for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, the ministry detailed specific interventions aimed at mitigating climate risks in vulnerable districts.
Focus on Drought-Prone Districts: The government highlighted a key project targeting 51 villages in the Nandurbar and Buldhana districts. With a total outlay of ₹22.95 crore, this initiative is a critical part of Maharashtra climate change projects aimed at developing “climate-adaptive and resilient farming systems”.
“The project aims at developing climate adaptive and resilient farming systems through efficient water management and technology adoption,” Singh stated. It specifically targets rural families in these drought-prone belts to stabilize agricultural incomes against fluctuating weather patterns.
Restoring Degraded Landscapes: Maharashtra is also part of a larger regional project involving Rajasthan and Telangana, with a total collective allocation of ₹126.1 crore. This initiative focuses on the ecological restoration of degraded forest areas and community wastelands, aiming to bring them back to a natural ecosystem state.
Both the agricultural and landscape restoration projects have been granted an extension and are slated for implementation until March 31, 2026.
Coastal Resilience & Global Funding: In addition to domestic funds, the state has secured approval for a multi-state project backed by the multilateral Green Climate Fund (GCF). Titled ‘Enhancing climate resilience of India’s coastal communities,’ the project has a grant support of USD 43.4 million shared across Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
The project will cover 24 target ecosystems in 12 coastal districts. It prioritizes the restoration of mangroves and seagrass beds—natural buffers critical for protecting coastal habitations from storm surges.
State Action Plan on Climate Change: On the question of a dedicated long-term fund, the Ministry clarified that the Centre supports the preparation and revision of the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). The revised SAPCC identifies investment needs which can be met through convergence with ongoing national missions rather than a separate new fund.
