CAMPA: the compensatory afforestation fund held in the Public Accounts of India and of each State
Background
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has been created under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
The Act provides for establishment of funds under the Public Accounts of India and Public Accounts of each State for depositing of the compensatory levies received from user agencies towards compensating the loss of forest and ecosystem services in lieu of diversion of forest land for non-forestry purpose as per the provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
These funds are utilized for undertaking Compensatory Afforestation and other related activities as per the provisions of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016 and CAF Rules, 2018.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change told the Rajya Sabha that land is a subject matter of the State Government, that forest areas and the legal boundaries thereof are determined and maintained by the concerned State Government, and that the primary responsibility of protection of forest lies with the respective States and Union Territories.
In the State-wise table placed before the House, compensatory afforestation carried out under CAMPA funds from FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 stood at 343.6 hectares for Kerala and 41438.92 hectares for Arunachal Pradesh, the largest figure in the table.
In plain words
CAMPA Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority — The authority that manages the money paid in compensation when forest land is diverted to other uses.
Public Account The account in which the government holds money it does not own outright — Money here is held in trust for a stated purpose and is not freely spendable like the Consolidated Fund.
User agency The body that is allowed to use forest land for a non-forest purpose — It pays the compensatory levy that funds afforestation elsewhere.