Latest news with #CompensatoryAfforestationFundManagementandPlanningAuthority
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- 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.
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 !
New Indian Express
28-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
India planted 1.78 lakh hectares under CAMPA in 2019-2023; gaps in fund use: Report
NEW DELHI: 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 per cent of the planned area, the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee 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 per cent. Uttar Pradesh reported 96.4 per cent 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 per cent. Sikkim planted 609.52 hectares, achieving 92.3 per cent, while Punjab achieved 4,019.72 hectares against 4,471.94 hectares, about 89.9 per cent. In contrast, Meghalaya had one of the lowest coverage, achieving only 114.56 hectares against a target of 514.76 hectares or 22.3 per cent. Manipur planted 666.94 hectares against 1,759.84 hectares, achieving 37.9 per cent. Kerala covered 171.80 hectares against 433.06 hectares, achieving 39.7 per cent. West Bengal achieved only 748.25 hectares against 1,911.74 hectares, about 39.2 per cent. Tamil Nadu planted 84.76 hectares against 262.39 hectares, achieving 32.3 per cent. Andhra Pradesh reported 3,471.88 hectares against 8,663.46 hectares, covering only 40.1 per cent. The report also reviewed the use of CAMPA funds during this period. National CAMPA approved Rs 38,516 crore for state annual plans between 2019-20 and 2023-24. States released Rs 29,311 crore to their forest departments, of which Rs 26,001 crore was utilised. This means only 67.5 per cent of the approved outlay was spent. Utilisation varied widely, with Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh utilising 100 per cent, 100 per cent and 97.8 per cent of the funds released to them, respectively. Mizoram reported utilisation above 91 per cent, Sikkim 97.7 per cent, Karnataka 96.6 per cent and Odisha 87.9 per cent. Chhattisgarh recorded 95 per cent utilisation of the funds released, and Gujarat spent more than it released, utilising 116 per cent due to carryover balances.
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Business Standard
28-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
India planted 178K hectares in 2019-2023; gaps in fund use: 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 per cent of the planned area, the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee 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 per cent. Uttar Pradesh reported 96.4 per cent 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 per cent. Sikkim planted 609.52 hectares, achieving 92.3 per cent, while Punjab achieved 4,019.72 hectares against 4,471.94 hectares, about 89.9 per cent. In contrast, Meghalaya had one of the lowest coverage, achieving only 114.56 hectares against a target of 514.76 hectares or 22.3 per cent. Manipur planted 666.94 hectares against 1,759.84 hectares, achieving 37.9 per cent. Kerala covered 171.80 hectares against 433.06 hectares, achieving 39.7 per cent. West Bengal achieved only 748.25 hectares against 1,911.74 hectares, about 39.2 per cent. Tamil Nadu planted 84.76 hectares against 262.39 hectares, achieving 32.3 per cent. Andhra Pradesh reported 3,471.88 hectares against 8,663.46 hectares, covering only 40.1 per cent. The report also reviewed the use of CAMPA funds during this period. National CAMPA approved Rs 38,516 crore for state annual plans between 2019-20 and 2023-24. States released Rs 29,311 crore to their forest departments, of which Rs 26,001 crore was utilised. This means only 67.5 per cent of the approved outlay was spent. Utilisation varied widely, with Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh utilising 100 per cent, 100 per cent and 97.8 per cent of the funds released to them, respectively. Mizoram reported utilisation above 91 per cent, Sikkim 97.7 per cent, Karnataka 96.6 per cent and Odisha 87.9 per cent. Chhattisgarh recorded 95 per cent utilisation of the funds released, and Gujarat spent more than it released, utilising 116 per cent due to carryover balances. Several states lagged behind. Tamil Nadu used only 67.9 per cent of the funds released, while Jammu and Kashmir spent 62.5 per cent. Haryana also underperformed, using 57.4 per cent. West Bengal spent 81.1 per cent and Delhi just 26.9 per cent, the lowest among all states. Telangana reported 60.4 per cent utilisation, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands spent 53.1 per cent 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.
NDTV
05-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Maharashtra To Plant 10 Crore Trees For A Greener, Sustainable Future
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has set a target of planting 10 crore trees this year to create a greener and sustainable future for the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said. Tree plantation should become a people's movement, the Chief Minister said after chairing a review meeting for the 'Green Maharashtra, Prosperous Maharashtra' tree plantation campaign on the eve of the World Environment Day on Wednesday. "We've set a target of planting 10 crore trees this year, and will aim for the same next year too, because this is not just about numbers, it's about creating a greener, sustainable future for our state," Fadnavis said in a statement after the meeting. He said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, Maharashtra has consistently led the way by "planting 33 crore and 50 crore trees" in recent years. "We are confident that we'll surpass this year's target as well," the chief minister said. Tree plantation must become a people's movement, he said. "I've urged all departments, local bodies, and social organisations to join hands. The saplings must be 1.5 to 3 years old, and we must ensure their survival and long-term care," Fadnavis said. "We're leveraging AI, remote sensing and satellite monitoring for real-time tracking and transparency. Directed for optimal use of CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds to ensure the impact on ground," he said. The forest department will take the lead on plantations along highways and pilgrimage routes, the Chief Minister said. "In view of the upcoming industrial growth, we plan to plant one crore trees in Gadchiroli and intensify efforts in Beed, Latur and Jyotiba hills where the tree cover needs urgent attention," he said.
