Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

Part of: Prelims and GS-III – Environment

Context The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has so far disbursed Rs. 48,606 crore to 32 States.

Compensatory Afforestation Fund

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) is a Rs. 54,000-crore tranche collected for nearly a decade as environmental compensation from industry, which has razed forest land for its business plans.
• The CAF Act 2016 established an independent authority — the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority — to execute the fund.
• The rules governing the management of the fund were finalised in August 2020.
• The rules specify that the funds are to be used for catchment area treatment, wildlife management, forest fire prevention, soil and moisture conservation work in the forest.
  • It cannot be used for payment of salary, travelling allowances, making buildings and buying office equipment for forest officers.