Ensure Proper and Lawful Use of CAMPA Funds: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Raipur : The third meeting of the Chhattisgarh CAMPA Governing Body was held today at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, chaired by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. During the session, the Chief Minister emphasized that CAMPA funds must be utilized appropriately and in strict accordance with established guidelines. He conducted a detailed review of the activities undertaken under CAMPA and issued necessary directives.

Highlighting the importance of forest conservation, the Chief Minister noted that 44% of Chhattisgarh’s land area is forested, placing the state tenth in the country in terms of total geographical area but third in terms of forest cover. He stressed that the CAMPA fund plays a crucial role in the protection and enrichment of forest resources, and its usage should reflect the needs and priorities of the state.

The Chief Minister also sought updates from officials on the afforestation, forest protection, wildlife conservation, and infrastructure development works carried out in recent years using CAMPA funds. The Chief Executive Officer of CAMPA presented a detailed report on the progress made so far and key achievements under the scheme.

It was informed during the meeting that CAMPA funds have been utilized for a wide range of activities including:

• Afforestation in forest areas
• Rehabilitation of forest villages
• Groundwater conservation
• Preservation of sacred groves (Devgudis)
• Improvement of forest roads
• Construction of culverts and causeways
• Pasture development
• Establishment of nurseries
• Installation of hi-tech barriers
• Riverside plantations
• Residential buildings for frontline staff
• Fire protection measures
• Wildlife management initiatives

The Governing Body was informed that from 2019–20 to 2024–25, the Chhattisgarh Compensatory Afforestation Fund, maintained as an interest-bearing public account, received a total of ₹7,297.55 crore from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Of this, ₹4,010.43 crore has been utilized over the past six years.

For the Annual Plan of Operations (APO) for 2025–26, the Chhattisgarh State CAMPA has submitted a proposal of ₹694.18 crore to the National CAMPA Authority, out of which ₹433.69 crore has been approved so far.

Prominent attendees of the meeting included:

• Forest and Climate Change Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap
• Chief Secretary Shri Amitabh Jain
• Additional Chief Secretary Smt. Richa Sharma
• Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh
• Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Smt. Niharika Barik Singh
• Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Basavaraju 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.