Use CAMPA funds for afforestation, not for salaries: Prakash Javadekar tells states

Aiming to maximise forest carbon stock by more tree plantation, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javekar on Monday urged states to use CAMPA funds exclusively for afforestation and t for payment of salaries.

Javekar, in a virtual meeting with state forest ministers, said 80 per cent of Compensatory Afforestation Manment and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds will be utilized only for afforestation and plantation while remaining will be for used for capacity building.

Sharing meeting details, Javekar tweeted, “At States Forest Minister's meeting stressed again that states should use CAMPA funds exclusively for afforestation and plantation. Emphasized that CAMPA funds is t to be used for payment of salary, travelling allowances, medical expenses etc.” Union minister furr said, “80 per cent of CAMPA funds to be utilized only for afforestation, plantation. Rest 20 per cent will be for capacity building etc”.

During meeting with states, environment minister said government was focused on enhancing forest quality and increasing tree cover to maximise carbon stock which requires several transformational changes in policies and programmes.

Forest carbon stock is amount of carbon that has been sequestered from atmosphere and stored within forest ecosystem, mainly within living biomass and soil, and to a lesser extent also in de wood and litter.

Javekar said Ministry has taken several initiatives which include massive tree plantation, promoting urban forestry through Nagar Van scheme, landscape-based catchment treatment of 13 major rivers, LiDAR techlogy-based survey of degred forest areas for soil moisture conservation projects and launch of National Transit Portal.  “ Ministry is also going to anunce implementation of School Nursery Scheme shortly,” said Javekar.

He furr said se efforts by Ministry are critical to meet goals of National Forest Policy, nationally determined commitments and restoration of degred forest land.  meeting was conducted to ensure participation and coordination of all states in taking forward various initiatives of central government to meet national and international goals, said Gaurav Khare, an official spokesperson from ministry.

"States have shown enthusiasm and expressed cooperation with MoEF&CC in this endeavour," he said.

During meeting, several initiatives were discussed which include Centre's Nagar Van scheme which aims at creation of 200 Nagar Vans on forest land in a collaborative approach, involving various ncies like forest and or departments, NGOs, corporate bodies, industries etc, for which Ministry will be giving grants for fencing and soil moisture works, Khare said.

He said School Nursery scheme aims at involving school students from a young in nursery and plantation operations.  “ objective is to inculcate spirit of forest and environment in mind of young students,” ministry's spokesperson said.

Khare said study given to Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) for rejuvenation of 13 major rivers will promote forestry along rivers, increase ground water recharge and reduce erosion.  Similarly, LiDAR techlogy using airborne method will assist degred land for construction of soil measures, ministry said.

(Photo Credit: PTI)