Synopsis
In a significant move, Gujarat's Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Mukesh Patel, revealed that Rs 9.91 crore has been allocated to reforest 855 hectares in Tapi district under the CAMPA initiative. The program has led to substantial employment generation and improved sapling survival rates.Key Takeaways
- 855 hectares reforested in Tapi district.
- Rs 9.91 crore spent under CAMPA.
- 190 hectares reforested in FY 2023-24.
- Employment generation of 27,368 man-days.
- Improved survival rate of 96.38% in FY 2024-25.
Gandhinagar, March 12 (NationPress) The Gujarat Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Mukesh Patel, announced on Tuesday in the Assembly that reforestation activities spanning 855 hectares in Tapi district have been executed under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) initiative over the last two years, with a total expenditure of Rs 9.91 crore.
He further stated that the Central government has allocated a total of Rs 2,349.12 crore to the Gujarat State CAMPA fund through various schemes.
Elaborating on the details, the Minister noted that in the Financial Year 2023-24, reforestation efforts covering 190 hectares were conducted in Tapi district with an investment of Rs 2.11 crore, resulting in the planting of 1.74 lakh saplings and achieving a survival rate of 89.04 percent.
This initiative generated 27,368 man-days of employment, he mentioned.
In a similar vein, for the year 2024-25, an allocation of Rs 7.80 crore was made for the afforestation of 665 hectares, where 5.77 lakh saplings were planted, realizing a significant survival rate of 96.38 percent, according to Union Minister Patel.
This year's activities contributed to the creation of 98,372 man-days of employment, he added.
Discussing the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, Union Minister Patel highlighted that obtaining prior approval from the Central government is essential for converting forest land into non-forest uses.
In line with the Act’s provisions, costs for compensatory afforestation, Net Present Value (NPV) charges as per Supreme Court directives, and penalties for infractions in specific proposals are collected from user agencies, the Minister stated.
Minister Patel further mentioned that the National CAMPA has earmarked funds for Gujarat across various categories, including Rs 997.24 crore for compensatory afforestation, Rs 6.72 crore for Catchment Area Treatment Plans, Rs 12.79 crore for Wildlife Management Plans, Rs 1,191.53 crore for Net Present Value (NPV), Rs 54.64 crore as interest earnings, and Rs 86.20 crore under other expenditures.
Overall, Rs 2,349.12 crore has been transferred to the Gujarat State CAMPA to support forest conservation, afforestation, and environmental protection initiatives, he concluded.
