Meeting of the Maharashtra Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (Maha CAMPA)
Mumbai, October 26, 2026: Funds available under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) can play a significant role in bringing positive changes and substantially improving the lives of people residing in forest conservation reserve areas. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to complete the rehabilitation of villages located in tiger reserves and other protected areas using these funds.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to verify afforestation, soil conservation and water conservation works undertaken using CAMPA funds with the help of satellite imagery and modern technology.
Fadnavis was speaking during a review meeting of the Maharashtra Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (Maha CAMPA), held under his chairmanship at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik attended the meeting through video conferencing.
The Chief Minister said the existing system for verifying works undertaken under CAMPA should be revised to ensure greater transparency. A sample of completed afforestation projects should be selected for surveys, he said.
He directed the concerned agencies to give serious attention to soil and water conservation as well as afforestation projects and ensure their timely completion.
Fadnavis also instructed officials to seek funds from the Centre under the National CAMPA Fund for the phased rehabilitation of villages located in the state’s reserved forest areas and to follow up on the matter.
To address staff shortages, the state-level CAMPA authority should engage contractual employees, he said. He also directed officials to complete the process of opening an account with the Reserve Bank of India for the state’s reserve fund.
The Chief Minister further called for identifying suitable investment options to earn higher interest on the fund. He said the funds should be used to support large-scale afforestation under Maharashtra’s ambitious target of planting 300 crore trees and to bring non-forest land under forest cover.
Fadnavis also stressed the need to implement an effective grassland development programme using CAMPA funds amid the prevailing drought conditions. This would help ensure greater availability of fodder, he said.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest Department Sanjay Khandare; Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Vikas Chandra Rastogi; Environment Secretary Jayshree Bhoj; Agriculture Secretary Parimal Singh; Rural Development Secretary Chandrakant Pulakundwar; MITRA Chief Executive Officer Pravin Pardeshi; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force M. Srinivasa Rao; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Srinivas Reddy; and CAMPA Chief Executive Officer Yatbon, among other officials.
Overview of Works Undertaken Under CAMPA
Under compensatory afforestation, plantation work has been completed across 107,865 hectares so far.
Between 2019–20 and 2025–26, construction of 562 residential buildings and 83 office buildings was completed. In addition, 62 rest houses for women were established.
Under the grassland development programme, work has been completed across 15,724 hectares.
With the support of CAMPA funds, 55 villages in tiger reserves and other protected areas have been rehabilitated.
