Centre releases Rs 1,660 crore pending funds under CAMPA to Himachal

SHIMLA: Forest minister Govind Singh Thakur on Thursday informed that Government of India has released Rs 1,660 crore pending funds under CAMPA to the Himachal Pradesh which would be spent on various forestry activities in the state.
Earlier, while participating in the conference of the forest ministers in New Delhi, which was chaired by Union minister of environment, forest and climate change Praksh Javadekar, Govind Singh Thakur had requested for delegation of power to state government for according forest clearance of projects under FCA, 1980 involving forest land up to the extent of five hectares instead of one hectare limit to boost the pace of development.
He had raised various issues of the state with the government of India regarding Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and forest department. He said that union government should issue guidelines regarding execution of Eco-tourism activities considering them as forestry activities.
He also requested for bringing Himachal Pradesh under Regional Office, Chandigarh of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change instead of regional office Dehradun for according forest clearance under Forests Clearances Act, 1980 to expedite approval of development projects.
He also raised various issues relating to CAMPA and demanded transfer of funds from National Authority to State Authority as envisaged under CAF Act, 2016 and CAF Rules, 2018.
Govind Singh Thakur also demanded for simplification of accounting procedure for spending money under state CAMPA fund by taking out the treasury mode and resorting to the old system. He suggested to making a provision of hiring vehicles by the field functionaries in the rules to curb forest offences and fire menace. He said provision should also be made for maintenance of office/residential building of front line staff under infrastructure development in the rules.