PANAJI
In the last four decades, Goa has managed to meet almost 81 per cent of the target set under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme since 1980. The National CAMPA body has now asked the coastal State to complete the balance 19 per cent of the tree plantation covering 686 hectares (ha) by March 2027.
The Executive Committee of CAMPA during its recent meeting carried out a review on the subject, during which it observed that since 1980 till December 2024, the State has managed to take up a total of 3079 ha of compensatory afforestation (CA) and penal CA towards diversion of forest land under Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
Data shows that the State has to take up a total of 3765.4 ha of CA and Penal CA together- 3,549.15 ha of CA and 216 ha of Penal CA.
As against the set target of 200 hectares by the National CAMPA, the State forest department managed to carry out CA covering total 217 ha for the current financial year 2024-25. Before that in 2023-24, a total 470 ha of area was covered with CA.
In August 2019, Goa received its share of Rs 238 crore, collected since 2009, under CAMPA for promoting afforestation and achieving green objectives.
“The State has to achieve 686 ha of CA and Penal CA by March 2027. The forest department is working on introducing real-time monitoring of CA. Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) is currently in process of developing a software based tool for effective and real-time monitoring of CA, which is mandatory under the Goa Preservation of Trees Act 1984,” sources said.
Meanwhile, under Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), a method that helps forests restore themselves, nearly 645 ha of area is brought under plantation. CAMPA recognizes ANR as a valid method for forest restoration and allows for the use of funds to support ANR projects.
According to the Act, the project proponent or the individual, who is responsible for felling or disposing of any tree, is bound to plant or replant such number and kind of trees as directed by the Authority.
