Govt wants to utilize 10% of CAMPA funds for protection of high value forests
SHILLONG: Minister in-charge Forest & Environment Lahkmen Rymbui has sought the intervention of the Centre to allow the state to utilize 10% of the CAMPA funds for taking on lease high value forest areas in order to provide higher degree of protection.
Meghalaya has received funding of Rs 163.31 crore under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) during a meeting convened Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi on Thursday.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, Rymbui said that he had also submitted a memorandum to the union minister for his intervention on the matter keeping in mind the unique land tenure system in the state.
“I have proposed that 10% of the CAMPA funds may be allowed for purchasing or taking on lease of high value forest areas viz., catchment areas, biodiversity rich areas, community forest, wildlife corridors with objective of extending higher degree of protection to these forest areas,” he said.
Under Rule 5(2) of CAMPA Rules, 2018 the 80% of the Funds shall be used for Assisted Natural Regeneration, Artificial Regeneration, Protection of plantations and forests, forest fire prevention, improvement of wildlife habitat etc. Under clause (f) of Rule 5(4), expenditure towards leasing, hiring and purchase of land for afforestation purposes is prohibited.
Rymbui however said this restriction of utilising CAMPA funds for purchase of land is posing hindrance to undertake activities mentioned under Rule 5(2) like Assisted natural regeneration, artificial regeneration.
In his letter to the union minister, Rymbui said, “I humbly request that Rule 5(2) of Compensatory Afforestation Funds Rules, 2018 be suitably amended by inserting a new clause namely clause (n) to provide 10% of CAMPA Funds for purchase, hire or lease of forest land belonging to private individuals, clan or community in Meghalaya, because of its unique land tenure system.”
According to him, the high value forest land purchased or taken on lease will be declared as Reserved forest/Protected forests, which will increase the total forest area under direct control of state government.
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