Telangana foremost in utilising CAMPA funds for implementing afforestation programmes

Telangana Chief Secretary S K Joshi on Monday announced that the state has ranked number one in the utilisation of CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds for implementing afforestation programmes.

Having chaired the fourth steering committee meeting on CAMPA funds attended by Forest and Finance Department officials, SK Joshi reviewed the utilisation of funds, afforestation and its progress in the State. 

The meeting witnessed participation from Special Chief Secretary (Forest Department) Ajay Mishra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest PK Jha, Principal Secretary (Finance) Ramakrishna Rao, Union representative on Environment issues Raj Gopal Reddy and other officials

Speaking further in this regard, he said that the Central government released Rs 125 crore last year under the programme and the Forest Department has completely utilised the funds.

Seeking Rs 595 crore funds under CAMPA, the Chief Secretary urged the Forest Department officials to ensure that the state gets funds for carrying out various afforestation programmes this year. 

He further directed the officials to begin afforestation around Kaleshwaram projects as per Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s instructions and send proposals for allocation of Rs 150 crore from the Centre apart from the afforestation programme around the HMDA limits for which Rs 220 crore would be allocated.

Stressing on the prominence of soil testing ahead of the huge afforestation programmes near the irrigation projects, Mr Joshi directed the forest officials to plant saplings that had a longer lifespan and also educate the villagers on Prime Minister’s Ujjwala scheme which provides gas connections to every household instead of cutting of trees for firewood.