Proper Utilization of CAMPA Funds as per Rules: CM Sai
Raipur, 16 June
The third meeting of the Chhattisgarh CAMPA Governing Body was held today at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhavan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed that the CAMPA funds must be used appropriately in accordance with the prescribed rules. He conducted a detailed review of the works undertaken under CAMPA and provided necessary guidelines.
CM Shri Sai stated that 44 percent of Chhattisgarh’s geographical area is covered by forests. The state is rich in forest resources. While Chhattisgarh ranks tenth in the country in terms of geographical area, it stands third in terms of forest area. The CAMPA funds play a crucial role in the conservation and development of forests, and therefore, its utilization should be based on priorities as per need.
The Chief Minister sought information from officials regarding forest development, forest protection, wildlife conservation, and infrastructure-related activities carried out under CAMPA in recent years. The Chief Executive Officer (CAMPA) presented the progress made so far and highlighted significant works completed using CAMPA funds before the Governing Body.
It was reported in the meeting that under CAMPA funds, activities such as tree plantation in forest areas, restoration of forest villages, groundwater conservation, protection of sacred groves (Devguris), improvement of forest roads, construction of culverts and check dams, development of grazing lands, establishment of nurseries, construction of high-tech barriers, riverbank plantation, residential buildings for frontline staff, fire protection, and wildlife management have been implemented.
The Governing Body was informed that from 2019-20 to 2024-25, a total amount of ₹7,297.55 crore has been received from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi, into the state’s interest-bearing public account named ‘Chhattisgarh Compensatory Afforestation Fund’, out of which ₹4,010.43 crore has been utilized in the past six years.
For the Annual Plan of Operation (APO) 2025-26, the State CAMPA has proposed a plan worth ₹694.18 crore to the National CAMPA, Government of India, of which ₹433.69 crore approval has already been received.
Forest and Climate Change Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, Chief Secretary Shri Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary Smt. Richa Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development Department Smt. Niharika Barik Singh, Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Baswaraju S., Secretary Housing and Environment Department Shri Ankit Anand, Secretary Forest and Climate Change Department Shri Amarnath Prasad, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Shri V. Srinivas Rao, along with other senior officials, were present at the meeting.