Chief Secretary, B R Sharma Friday chaired the 12thSteering Committee meeting of the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).The Steering Committee approved a target of 3955 Ha (area) to be treated for Compensatory Afforestation during 2016-17.For the purpose, the Committee approved the proposed outlay of Rs 68.28 Crore.The Committee reviewed the physical and financial achievements of last 6 years under CAMPA starting from the year 2010-11.It was informed in the meeting that over 31,400 Ha have been brought under Compensatory Afforestation against a target of 24000 Ha in the last 6 years. During the same period as many as 350 Lakh plants have been raised in the Nurseries of the State besides taking up fencing, boundary demarcation, soil conservation and pasture development works under CAMPA.
During 2016-17, as many as 87 Lakh plants are proposed for production in CAMPA Nurseries.The Steering Committee also discussed and gave approval to the Rs 33.14 Cr Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for Wildlife Conservation and Protection for the year 2015-16.The Committee also reviewed the physical and financial progress achieved till date in respect of Wildlife Conservation and Protection in various regions of J&K.Chief Secretary during the meeting stressed on realizing the Afforestation and Wild Life Protection targets set out for the year 2016-17.Meanwhile, 3rd Party Monitoring Report received from the University of Kashmir regarding ‘Monitoring & Evaluation of CAMPA Works raised in year 2011-2012 in South and North Circle and Social Forestry Division Anantnag was placed before the Steering Committee.