CS stresses on undertaking water and forest conservation under CAMPA

5 Dariya News

5 Dariya News

Shimla , 26 Sep 2019

Chief Secretary Dr. Shrikant Baldi presided over the meeting of State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for transfer of CAMPA funds and undertaking other related activities, here today. It is worth mentioning that the state has received Rs. 1660.72 crore under CAMPA.Dr. Shrikant Baldi said that emphasis was being laid on utilization of funds received under CAMPA on disposal of muck, plantation and construction small water reservoirs and ponds. He said that special focus should be laid on these three aspects for forests and environment conservation.He said that under the State Budget for the year 2019-20, the annual action plan of Rs. 156 crore has been sent to National Compensatory Afforestation Funds Management and Planning Authority. He said that special attention should be paid towards dumping of muck generated from construction works. The Muck Management Plan is necessary for forest clearances and all construction works should be covered under it.Additional Principal Chief Forests Conservator and Chief Executive Officer of CAMPA Kehar Singh Thakur gave a presentation on background of CAMPA, important aspects of Compensatory Afforestation Funds Act, 2016 and Compensatory Afforestation Funds Act, 2018 and progress made under the new system.Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary Finance Akshay Sood, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ajay Kumar and other senior officers of State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority and Forests department were also present in the meeting.