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New Indian Express
07-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana meets only 74% of afforestation target despite Rs 3,352 crore in central funds
HYDERABAD: Telangana has achieved only 74% of its afforestation target over the past six years, despite receiving over `3,352 crore under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and other centrally funded schemes. The data, shared by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in response to a Lok Sabha question by Telangana MP Kunduru Raghuveer, reveals significant gaps between the intended and actual outcomes of the state's green efforts. 'Between 2019 and 2025, the state was tasked with afforesting 36,923 hectares. However, only 27,373 hectares were actually covered. The underperformance is particularly stark from 2021 onwards. For instance, in 2023-24, Telangana afforested just 551 hectares out of a target of 919 hectares, despite receiving Rs 455 crore for the year. While the current year (2024-25) shows some improvement, with 13,687 hectares achieved so far out of a massive 17,963-hectare target, the state still falls short of its goals,' noted the reply. Year-wise data shows that Telangana achieved 4,415 hectares in 2.19-20 against a target of 6,269 hectares, supported by Rs 501.26 crore in approved funding. In 2020-21, 4,178 hectares were afforested against a target of 4,644 hectares, with Rs 483.78 crore sanctioned. The performance began to dip from 2021-22, with 2,490 hectares achieved out of 3,331 targeted, despite an increased allocation of Rs 752.71 crore. The trend continued into 2022-23 and 2023-24, even as fund allocations remained high. The ministry attributed the shortfalls to implementation capacity issues, monsoon variability, and limited land availability, all of which are known challenges in executing large-scale afforestation projects. Environmental experts warn that without robust monitoring and survival audits, many plantation efforts may remain on paper, failing to translate into meaningful ecological impact.
News18
05-08-2025
- Science
- News18
India Lost More Forest Cover Than It Gained Between 2015 & 2019, Shows IIT Bombay Study
Using a different method to track forest cover, the study revealed that India lost nearly 18 sq kms of forest for every 1 sq km gained from 2015 to 2019. India saw a net loss in forest cover from 2015 to 2019 – losing nearly 18 sq kms of forest for every 1 sq km gained – revealed a new study led by researchers from IIT Bombay and SASTRA Deemed University who tracked changes in the country's forest landscape using a newly-developed framework. The findings sharply contrast with the recent India State of the Forest Reports released by Forest Survey of India biennially, which have typically declared an increase in forest cover. An increase of nearly 3,976 sq km in forest cover shown from 2017-2019, 1540 sq km in 2019-2021 and 156.41 km2 in 2021-23 – bringing total forest cover currently to 7.15 lakh km2, almost 21.76 per cent of the total geographical area. 'Our results clearly show that most of the newly added forests during 2015–2019 were islets, highly-fragmented and ecologically vulnerable patches, which do not help much in connecting large forest areas," said co-author Prof Vasu Sathyakumar from IIT Bombay. 'Our data source has a globally validated accuracy of over 85 per cent, making our connectivity results reliable. If FSI's data were made available in GIS-compatible format, our methodology could be readily applied to it." However, the researchers noted that the two reports are not directly comparable, as FSI does not assess forest connectivity, and uses a different criterion from the Copernicus Global Land Service (CGLS) to identify forests – defining forests as areas with at least 10 per cent tree cover, based on 23.5 meters resolution satellite imagery, without distinguishing between fragmented and continuous forests. On the other hand, IIT Bombay's new framework used the CGLS dataset that applies a 15 per cent canopy threshold and a 100 m resolution. Despite this, the study underscores the need to rethink how forest data is assessed and analyzed in the country, and underscores the need to move beyond the current quantity-based afforestation approach to explicitly incorporate structural connectivity into forest planning. WHY IS THE STUDY SIGNIFICANT? The study has important implications, as it highlights questions about the effectiveness of afforestation programs across India. Even where forest cover seems to be increasing on paper, the real ecological benefits and resilience of those forests may be limited. It shows that large, connected forest support biodiversity, resilience and regeneration, while fragmented forest hinder wildlife movement and survival – critical for species like tigers that need expansive habitats to thrive and avoid human conflict. 'So, afforestation activities that led to creation of 'islets' – small, isolated forest patches – which are most vulnerable- may not meaningfully contribute to forest health or connectivity. The afforestation programmes such as CAMPA or the National Mission for a Green India can benefit by focusing on strengthening existing 'cores' – large and intact forest habitats – which are most resilient to deforestation and could potentially yield better-connected, and ecologically-sustainable forests," said co-author Prof. RAAJ Ramsankaran from IIT Bombay. According to the study, nearly half of the 56.3 sq. km. of gross forest gain occurred in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, while Tamil Nadu and West Bengal together accounted for almost half of the 1,032.89 sq. km. of gross forest loss. THE NEW METHOD TO TRACK INDIA'S FOREST COVER The new framework recently published in peer-reviewed journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment uses remote sensing data and open-source digital tools to map forest types and their connectivity at both the state and national levels. It relies on an image processing technique to detect and classify the structure of forest landscapes. The researchers applied the analysis to digital forest cover maps of India for the years 2015 to 2019, obtained from the Copernicus Global Land Service (CGLS) Land Cover Map. Unlike most previous studies on forest cover, which report only net gains or losses, this study mapped forest loss and gain separately. 'Our framework is fully extensible to finer scales, such as districts or protected areas, and can be used to analyse the impacts of linear infrastructure like roads and rail lines on forest connectivity in a more focused manner," added Prof Ramsankaran. 'This makes it a valuable tool for long-term forest monitoring, planning and informed infrastructure development in and around forested areas." view comments First Published: News india India Lost More Forest Cover Than It Gained Between 2015 & 2019, Shows IIT Bombay Study Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
04-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Collapse of 400-year-old baobab on outskirts of Hyderabad sparks alarm
Hyderabad: A 400-year-old baobab tree, part of a rare and historic cluster in the Chingi Cherla forest on Hyderabad's outskirts, has collapsed, triggering alarm among environmentalists and tree lovers. Thought to have been planted by African settlers more than four centuries ago, the ancient tree is believed to have succumbed to a severe pest infestation. Only three baobabs now remain in the cluster, which are located within 50 metres of one another. 'One of them has a girth of over 20 metres,' said Salman K, a local who last visited the tree in November 2024. 'At that time, I noticed a minor infestation on a few branches, some of which had already fallen. I never imagined the damage would spread so drastically. Seeing the collapsed tree was heartbreaking,' he added. Another concern highlighted by environmentalists is the dense plantation under the baobabs. Under the Yadadri Model Plantation scheme implemented in 2021–22, more than 10,000 saplings, including banyan, karanji, raavi, and others, were planted across the forest with just one-metre spacing. A rusted plantation board still stands nearby, listing 22 species planted under the CAMPA scheme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad 'But these heritage trees are now in serious jeopardy. The real issue is the uncontrolled plantation activity near them. These saplings are encroaching on the baobabs' root zone,' said Uday Krishna, an environmentalist who documented the tree through his initiative, The Big Tree Quest. 'Baobabs have shallow roots and wide canopies. Fast-growing species like banyan and karanji compete for essential resources like space, water, and sunlight. This weakens the older baobabs, making them more susceptible to perish, but they can live up to 1000 years if maintained,' he added. 'I've only seen such a dense baobab grouping once before, in Savannur, Karnataka,' he added. Today, fewer than 20 baobabs are thought to survive in the Deccan region. The Chingi Cherla cluster is believed to be the only naturally occurring group of baobabs in India, making its preservation all the more vital. Environmentalists are now calling on the Telangana Forest Department to urgently remove the encroaching saplings, treat pest infections, and formally protect the area as a heritage grove. 'We have inspected the site. The fall was due to natural decay. We have also initiated fresh regeneration at the location,' said an official from the forest department. 'There was a proposal to develop a park around the area a few years ago, but it didn't materialise. As for conservation, regular monitoring is being done. These are old trees, and aging is a factor, but we are taking all necessary precautions.'
Time of India
02-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
10K+ open wells to be covered under CAMPA plan to protect wild animals
Raipur: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Chhattisgarh, has issued a circular to all Chief Conservators of Forests (CCFs), including those overseeing wildlife and tiger reserves, to cover open wells near forest areas. The move aims to prevent wild animals from accidentally falling into the wells. As per the directive, 40% of the CAMPA Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for 2025–26, allocated for this purpose, will be used to cover over 10,000 open wells across the state. This initiative will significantly improve the safety of animals in vulnerable regions. CEO of CAMPA instructed officials to prepare a detailed report on the proposed work and obtain technical and administrative approval. The CEO also stated that any amount spent beyond the prescribed limit would not be approved. The circular further clarifies that work should not be done on disused wells. Instead, these wells should be filled up with the support of local villagers, without using CAMPA funds. According to the report, 1,068 wells were identified for covering at an estimated cost of Rs 345.22 lakh. In the Surguja forest circle, 258 open wells were marked across five forest divisions: Korea (57), Manendragarh (30), Surguja (57), Jashpur (57), and Sarguja (57). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Similarly, 228 open wells were marked in the Bilaspur circle across four forest divisions: Dharamjaigarh (57), Katghora (57), Raigarh (57), and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh (57). In the Raipur circle, 171 open wells were marked in three forest divisions: Gariaband (57), Baloda Bazar (57), and Mahasamund (57). The Kanker circle identified 126 open wells in three divisions: Kanker (57), West Bhanupratappur, and South Kondagaon (12). Additionally, 57 open wells in the Bastar division under the Jagdalpur circle will be covered. The list also includes 57 wells in the Balod division under the Durg circle, 57 in the Kanger Valley National Park, 57 in the Gomarda Sanctuary, and 57 in the Barnawapara Sanctuary. Elaborating on the provision for utilising 40% of the interest amount, a senior forest officer explained that when a company undertakes mining activities, it is required to deposit a certain amount into the CAMPA fund maintained by the central govt. Forty percent of the interest accrued on this deposited amount is earmarked for specific activities such as wildlife safety. An amount of up to Rs 18.43 lakh was approved for each forest division to cover open wells under this initiative. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Around 1,78,261 ha of compensatory afforestation raised; 85% of planned area achieved; gaps in fund use: CEC report
'India raised 1,78,261 hectares of compensatory afforestation against a target of 2,09,297 hectares between 2019-20 and 2023-24, achieving 85% of the planned area,' the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has said in a report. The report filed earlier this month revealed that utilisation of funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) varies sharply across States. According to the report, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Mizoram and Madhya Pradesh recorded full achievement of their targets. Madhya Pradesh planted 21,746.82 hectares, fully achieving its target of 21,107.68 hectares. Karnataka also met nearly its entire target, covering 2,761.26 hectares against 2,775.12 hectares. Arunachal Pradesh planted 20,719.46 hectares against 21,478.03 hectares, achieving 96.6%. Uttar Pradesh reported 96.4% achievement, planting 5,877.16 hectares against 6,096.7 hectares. Assam covered 1,149.64 hectares against 1,191.82 hectares, achieving 93.8%. Sikkim planted 609.52 hectares, achieving 92.3%, while Punjab achieved 4,019.72 hectares against 4,471.94 hectares, about 89.9%. In contrast, Meghalaya had one of the lowest coverage, achieving only 114.56 hectares against a target of 514.76 hectares or 22.3%. Manipur planted 666.94 hectares against 1,759.84 hectares, achieving 37.9%. Kerala covered 171.80 hectares against 433.06 hectares, achieving 39.7%. West Bengal achieved only 748.25 hectares against 1,911.74 hectares, about 39.2%. Tamil Nadu planted 84.76 hectares against 262.39 hectares, achieving 32.3%. Andhra Pradesh reported 3,471.88 hectares against 8,663.46 hectares, covering only 40.1%. The report also reviewed the use of CAMPA funds during this period. National CAMPA approved ₹38,516 crore for State annual plans between 2019-20 and 2023-24. States released ₹29,311 crore to their Forest Departments, of which ₹26,001 crore was utilised. This means only 67.5% of the approved outlay was spent. Utilisation varied widely, with Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh utilising 100%, 100% and 97.8% of the funds released to them, respectively. Mizoram reported utilisation above 91%, Sikkim 97.7%, Karnataka 96.6% and Odisha 87.9%. Chhattisgarh recorded 95% utilisation of the funds released and Gujarat spent more than it released, utilising 116% owing to the carryover balances. Several States lagged behind. Tamil Nadu used only 67.9% of the funds released, while Jammu and Kashmir spent 62.5%. Haryana also underperformed, using 57.4%. West Bengal spent 81.1% and Delhi just 26.9%, the lowest among all States. Telangana reported 60.4% utilisation and Andaman & Nicobar Islands spent 53.1% of the released funds. The CEC said that "delays in submission of annual plans by States, late release of funds and the lack of dedicated CAMPA offices affect seasonal forestry operations." 'Monitoring of survival rates remains weak and multiple layers in the fund release process contribute to underutilisation,' it said. Despite these shortcomings, it said progress under the statutory framework has been "significant" given initial difficulties, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With thousands of hectares of natural forests lost each year to development projects, the report warns that gaps in plantation survival and underutilisation of funds undermine the very purpose of the CAMPA mechanism. The compensatory afforestation regime originated from a series of orders in the landmark TN Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India case of 1995. In these orders, the Supreme Court mandated that when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes, user agencies must provide funds to compensate for the loss through afforestation on non-forest land or degraded forest land. To formalise and regulate the management of these funds, Parliament enacted the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016. The Act established the National and State CAMPA to manage the money collected from user agencies. The CAF Rules, 2018, provided the framework for how these funds should be used. The Act and Rules specify that the money transferred to States and Union Territories can only be used for afforestation, regeneration of degraded forests, wildlife protection and other activities aimed at ecological restoration.
