Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA): Assessment and Challenges

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a statutory body established under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016. It manages funds for afforestation when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes, aiming for effective utilization and ecological restoration. This is particularly relevant for UPSC aspirants as it connects to GS Paper 3, which covers environmental conservation and sustainable development. Last Updated: 2025-08-01

Key Facts About CAMPA

• CAMPA was established in 2002 by the Supreme Court for afforestation oversight.
• It operates under the CAF Act, 2016, which institutionalized fund management.
• Funds are allocated: 90% to States/UTs, 10% retained by the Centre.
• Permissible activities include afforestation, natural regeneration, and wildlife management.
• Key challenges include land availability and underutilization of funds.
• Monoculture plantations threaten biodiversity and ecological integrity.
• Concerns about greenwashing and rights violations have been raised.
• Policy gaps hinder timely fund release and effective implementation.
• Measures proposed include creating an ecologically viable land bank.
• Fund utilization should be transparent with third-party monitoring.
• A shift to biodiverse, community-led approaches is recommended.
• Legal reforms are needed for better accountability and ecological equivalence.
• Alignment with IPCC guidelines and international agreements is crucial.
• Recent assessments show 85% of targets met, but only 67.5% of funds utilized.

Broader Context: India's Afforestation Efforts

The establishment of CAMPA is significant in the context of India's commitment to enhancing its forest cover, which is vital for achieving sustainable development goals. With a target to increase forest cover to 33% of the total geographical area, India ranks 10th globally in forest area. The effective management of compensatory afforestation funds is essential for ecological restoration and combating climate change, aligning with India's goals under international agreements like the Paris Accord.

Related Government Schemes/Policies

• National Afforestation Programme (NAP): Aims to promote afforestation and restore degraded forests.
• Green India Mission (GIM): Focuses on enhancing ecosystem services and increasing forest cover.
• Forest Conservation Act, 1980: Regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

UPSC Relevance

CAMPA is relevant to various sections of the UPSC syllabus:

• GS Paper 3: Environmental Conservation, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Development.
• Prelims may include factual questions regarding the establishment, objectives, and functioning of CAMPA.
• Mains could explore themes such as the effectiveness of afforestation policies, ecological balance, and sustainable development practices.
• Essay papers may address the importance of ecological restoration in the context of climate change.

FAQ Section

• What is CAMPA? CAMPA is a statutory body established under the CAF Act, 2016, to manage funds for afforestation when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes.
• Why is CAMPA important? It plays a crucial role in ecological restoration and sustainable management of forest resources, which is essential for biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
• What are the key features of CAMPA? Key features include fund allocation (90% to States/UTs), permissible activities like afforestation, and the need for transparent fund utilization and monitoring.