NEW DELHI: The Centre has approved Rs 105 crore plan for compensatory afforestation, forest fire prevention and control and monitoring and evaluation in Jammu and Kashmir for 2020-21.
This is the first time when J&K’s annual plan of operations under CAMPA has been approved by the Government of India which has the authority to do so after new legal framework became applicable to it from October 31, 2019.
In a letter, a copy of which is in possession of news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has communicated to J&K government that National Authority for Compensation Afforestation and Management Plan Authority(CAMPA) has approved Rs 105.76 crore during the current financial year for the newly carved out Union Territory.
A major share Rs 81.99 crore has been set aside for plantation, fencing, sowing, dibbling, pasture development and other similar activities.
The plan was approved by the steering committee of J&K State Authority in its meeting held on 20-02-2020. Subsequently, the proposal was sent to National Authority, MOEF &CC for approval of its executive committee on 28-02-2020.
With coming into effect of J&K Re-organisation Act -2019, the J&K Forest Conservation Act and J&K Compensatory Afforestation Fund(CAF) Rules 2018 were replaced respectively Central CAF Act -2016 and CAF Rules -2018.
Under the new legal framework, the Annual Plan of Operations(APOs) under CAMPA are required to be submitted to National Authority for approval.
Before October 31, 2019, J&K government did not require approval of Centre and its own steering committee headed by Chief Secretary was the final authority to give nod to such proposal.