India's Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Report: Analysis of Fund Utilization and Afforestation Targets Achieved.

India planted 178,261 hectares of compensatory afforestation between 2019-2023, achieving 85% of the planned area. Utilization of funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) varies sharply across states. Gujarat, Chandigarh, Mizoram, and Madhya Pradesh recorded full achievement of their targets. Several states lagged behind in fund utilization, with Tamil Nadu using only 67.9% of the funds released and Delhi spending just 26.9%.

India has made significant strides in compensatory afforestation, achieving 85% of its target between 2019 and 2023, according to a report by the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee. The country planted 178,261 hectares of compensatory afforestation, surpassing the target of 2,09,297 hectares [2].

The report highlights disparities in fund utilization across states under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Gujarat, Chandigarh, Mizoram, and Madhya Pradesh fully met their targets, while several other states lagged behind. Madhya Pradesh, for instance, achieved its target of 21,107.68 hectares by planting 21,746.82 hectares [2].

However, the utilization of CAMPA funds varied sharply. While some states like Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh utilized 100% of the funds released, others underperformed. Tamil Nadu, for example, used only 67.9% of the funds released, and Delhi spent just 26.9% of the funds [2].

The report identifies several operational challenges, including delays in fund allocation and weak monitoring of plantation success rates. Despite these shortcomings, the CEC noted that progress under the statutory framework has been "significant" given initial difficulties, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic [2].

The compensatory afforestation regime, originating from the landmark TN Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India case of 1995, mandates user agencies to provide funds for afforestation when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016, and the CAF Rules, 2018, formalize and regulate the management of these funds [2].

The report underscores the need for improved fund utilization and monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of the CAMPA mechanism in combating deforestation and ecological degradation.

References:
[1] https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/3519301-indias-compensatory-afforestation-efforts-progress-and-challenges-unveiled
[2] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/india-planted-178k-hectares-in-2019-2023-gaps-in-fund-use-report-125072800226_1.html