Central forest scheme to fetch Rs 10 crore
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 24
In the second year of its implementation, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), a central government-sponsored scheme, will fetch Goa Rs 10 crore in the next fiscal.
The State Forest Department, for the year 2010-11, had received Rs 12.10 crore under CAMPA. As per the scheme the Central Government gives back 10 percent of the money collected from the State for various forest-related projects.
The department’s executive committee headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Dr Shashi Kumar will be meeting on Friday to discuss on the allocation of funds for the financial year 2011-12.
Sources stated that the State had sanctioned works worth Rs 11.9 crore for the last FY when the fund of Rs 12.10 crore was allocated to Goa. The State’s cumulative contribution to the central kitty is to the tune of Rs 120 crore.
Last year, the department took up afforestation of 150 hectares (ha) of degraded land. In all 75 ha each was afforested in each division – North and South.
The Forest Department officials said the degradation of forest was likely due human interference, grazing and others. Officials confirmed ‘no areas denuded due to mining were taken up for afforestation.’
“We are waiting for mine owners to claim that the entire ore from the place is over and they want to close the mining site, so that we can take up afforestation there,” officials said.
He said the department was planting local varieties of trees, except mahogany plants. The State has already given up planting acacia trees, they added.
“Since last four to five years, acacia trees are not being planted during afforestation drives,” officials said adding that these plants could be used in places where soil quality was very poor.
CAMPA funding is also used for protection of forests by consolidation of boundaries by building rubble walls and excavation of cattle proof trenches.
According to the forest officials another way to consolidate the boundaries was to take up close-knit plantations, where local species can be planted.
The department has also taken up soil and water conservation works which includes construction of check dams.
CAMPA funds have also helped the department to create infrastructure like patrolling stations, check posts, office buildings and others.
