Question : Financial Allocation under CAMPA

(a) the total hectares of land has been afforested under National Afforestation Program so far, State/UT-wise including Delhi;
(b) whether the Government has implemented Compensatory Afforestation (CAMPA) Fund for undertaking artificial plantations, protection of forest and developing forest related infrastructure;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the financial allocation made by the Government to States since inception of this programme;
(d) whether it is a fact that the funds allotted under this scheme have not been utilized for the purpose by the States, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
(e) the other measures being taken by the Government under the programme to spread awareness amongst citizens?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)


(a) Under National Afforestation Programme (NAP), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of the ministry for regeneration and eco-development of degraded forests and adjoining landscapes through afforestation, an area of 21.67 lakh hectares, in total has been approved for new afforestation so far, since inception of the programme in 2000-02.At present this programme is not implemented in Union Territories including Delhi. The state-wise details of area approved for new afforestation with corresponding investment which also includes expenditure for the committed activities of plantation and maintenance during the periodare given in Annexure I.

(b),(c) & (d) Yes Madam. The Compensatory Afforestation fund, accumulated out of the compensatory levies like Net Present Value (NPV), compensatory afforestation etc. collected in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forestry purposes are being released in terms of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order dated 10th July 2009 and judgment dated 12th March 2014 for undertaking various activities in terms of the Annual Plans of Operation drawn up by respective States/ UTs including artificial plantations, protection of forests and developing forest related infrastructure and no departure/ deviation from the provisions in the State CAMPA Guidelines is permitted. A statement of releases made to the state CAMPAs constituted in terms of the State CAMPA Guidelines is given in Annexure II.

(e) Under NAP, State Forest Development Agencies (SFDAs) submit their Annual Plan of Operation (APO) for carrying out various activities related to plantation. AwarenessGeneration towards the scheme in the area of operation is inbuiltunder NAP and 1% of plantation cost in the approved APOhas been earmarked for this supporting activity as per revised guidelines of NAP 2009.

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