Why in NEWS
The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has found that although 85% of the compensatory afforestation target has been achieved, only 67.5% of the CAMPA funds have been utilised, raising concerns over fund management and ecological integrity.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| CAMPA | Statutory body under CAF Act, 2016 to manage funds collected for afforestation when forest land is diverted |
| CAF Act, 2016 | Provides legal framework for management and disbursal of afforestation funds |
| Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 | Mandates compensatory afforestation when forest land is used for non-forest purposes |
| Monoculture | Plantation of single-species trees, often ecologically harmful |
| Greenwashing | Superficial environmental efforts that mask ecological damage or inaction |
About CAMPA and CAF Act, 2016
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Establishment | CAMPA was first set up by SC in 2002 (Godavarman case), institutionalised via CAF Act in 2016 |
| Purpose | Manage funds collected from user agencies for diverting forest land to non-forest use |
| Fund Structure | National CAMPA under MoEFCC manages NCAF; States/UTs manage SCAF. Funds are interest-bearing and non-lapsable |
| Allocation | 90% of funds to States/UTs, 10% to Centre for capacity building |
| Activities Supported | Afforestation (compensatory, additional, penal), catchment treatment, wildlife protection, village relocation, infrastructure, and capacity building |
| Auditing | Annual audit by CAG for both National and State CAMPA |
Challenges in Implementation
| Challenge | Description |
|---|---|
| Land Scarcity | Non-forest land near original site often unavailable or ecologically unsuitable, especially in small or forest-rich states |
| Underutilisation | Legacy funds (pre-2016) remained idle; slow and delayed fund release post-CAF Act |
| Diversion of Funds | CAMPA funds diverted to unrelated schemes like Green India Mission, diluting core goals |
| Ecological Concerns | Monoculture plantations harm biodiversity, disrupt ecosystems, and increase edge effects |
| Rights Violations | Tribal and forest dwellers excluded from planning, undermining Forest Rights Act, 2006 |
| Policy Gaps | No time-bound targets, poor institutional infrastructure, delays in submissions and clearances |
| Net Ecological Loss | Replacing biodiverse forests with plantations causes irreversible ecological damage, as flagged by IPCC 2023 report |
Way Forward
| Measure | Action Steps |
|---|---|
| Land Bank Creation | Develop central repository of ecologically viable degraded lands near forest boundaries for afforestation |
| Improve Utilisation & Transparency | Adhere to annual plans, set deadlines, mandate third-party audits, and ensure public disclosure of data |
| Promote Biodiversity | Replace monocultures with native, multi-species plantations; restore ecological corridors |
| Community Involvement | Empower tribals and forest dwellers in afforestation planning and monitoring under FRA 2006 |
| Legal & Policy Reforms | Amend CAF Act for time-bound goals, ecological equivalence, and performance-based fund release |
| Align with Global Goals | Link CAMPA actions with India’s NDCs, Paris Agreement, and IPCC ecological standards |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code – C.A.M.P.A.
Court-mandated fund management
Afforestation target nearly met
Monocultures threaten biodiversity
Poor fund utilisation
Act reforms needed for climate goals
Prelims Practice Questions
- Consider the following statements about CAMPA:
1.It was created through a Supreme Court directive before being institutionalised by an Act.
2.Only central authorities are responsible for managing and disbursing CAMPA funds.
Which of the above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2 - Which of the following activities is not supported under CAMPA funds?
A. Penal and additional afforestation
B. Forest-related infrastructure
C. Commercial mining activities
D. Human-wildlife conflict mitigation - Monoculture plantations, often funded under CAMPA, can result in:
1.Loss of biodiversity
2.Increased edge effects
3.Enhanced natural regeneration
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Mains Practice Questions
- Examine the role and challenges of CAMPA in achieving India’s afforestation targets. Suggest reforms to ensure ecological sustainability and tribal participation. 10 Marks (GS3 – Environment)
- Despite large unutilised afforestation funds under CAMPA, India’s forest cover and ecological health remain fragile. Discuss. 10 Marks (GS2/GS3 – Governance & Environment)
Prelims Answers and Explanations
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Statement 1 is correct; Statement 2 is wrong as states/UTs also manage the funds |
| 2 | C | CAMPA funds cannot be used for commercial mining |
| 3 | A | Monocultures lead to biodiversity loss and edge effects but do not aid natural regeneration |
