New Delhi (PTI) Conservation of the big cats continues to remain a priority for the government which has doubled the budgetary allocation for the Tiger Project to Rs 184 crores in 2009-10 from Rs 72 crores in 2008-09.

Tiger Project is an autonomous body entrusted with the task to protect and conserve the royal predators whose number has dwindled to 1,411 across the country as per the latest estimate.

Besides, the government has alloted Rs 562 crores for cleaning and conserving rivers and lakes in the country. The amount for the purpose last year was Rs 335 crores.

"Budgetary allocation under National River and Lake Conservation Plans to be Rs 562 crores in 2009-10 from Rs 335 crores in 2008-09," Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in his Budget speech in the Lok Sabha.

The overall funding for the Ministry of Environment and Forests has been increased from Rs 1,707 crores in 2008-09 to Rs 2129 crores in 2009-10.

Mr. Mukherjee said the government has already approved the notification for setting up the Ganga River Basin Authority for comprehensive management of the basin.

The setting up of the authority aims to help replace the current piecemeal efforts to clean up the Ganga with an integrated approach that sees the river as an ecological entity.