Question : FUNDS FOR DIVERSION OF FOREST LAND

(a) whether the Union Government had constituted ad-hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for management of funds received for diversion of forest land for non-forest land under Forest Conservation Act, 1980;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the State Government of Gujarat transferred any funds to CAMPA;

(d) if so, the quantum of funds transferred;

(e) whether the Sate Government of Gujarat submitted any proposal to receive funds from CAMPA; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a) & (b) The Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests had constituted Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) vide the Gazette Notification of 23rd April 2004 for the purpose of management of money realised towards Compensatory Afforestation, Net Present Value and any other money recoverable for diversion of forest lands for non-forest purpose. Since, CAMPA did not become operational, the Ad-hoc CAMPA was constituted in the Month of May, 2006 under orders from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for the following functions :-

(i) to ensure that all the monies recovered on behalf of the ‘CAMPA’ and which are presently lying with the various officials of the State Government are transferred to the bank account(s) to be operated by this body; and

(ii) get audited all the monies received from the User Agencies on behalf of the CAMPA and the income earned thereon by the various State Government officials. The auditors may be appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The audit may also examine whether proper financial procedure has been following in investing the funds;”

(c) to (f) The State Government of Gujarat had transferred an amount of Rs. 120,57,84,403/- (Rupees one hundred twenty crores, fifty seven lacs, eighty four thousand, four hundred three only) to Ad-hoc CAMPA as on 1st March 2008.

The State Government of Gujarat in the Month of May, 2007 had submitted a proposal for utilization of CAMPA funds to the tune of Rs. 12,33,57,000/- (Rupees twelve crores, thirty three lacs and fifty seven thousand only) for afforestation activities etc. Release of funds to the States/Union Territories including Gujarat could not be made as the Ad-hoc CAMPA has not been authorised by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to release the funds.