In environmentally sensitive Uttarakhand, CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) funds should be used for sustainable management of forests, forestry development, environmental balance and welfare of forest-dependent communities. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave these instructions to the officials in the meeting of the governing body of CAMPA in the Secretariat on Tuesday. He also emphasized on incorporating modern technology for prevention of forest fires as well as making a comprehensive strategy through community participation. The Chief Minister directed to review regularly to ensure quality, timeliness and effectiveness of the schemes run from CAMPA funds. Referring to plantation, the Chief Minister said that this work should not be limited to planting only saplings, but special attention should also be paid to the survival rate of the plants.
He emphasized on planting trees on a large scale across the state on the nature festival Harela and planting of plants of fruitful and medicinal importance in it. He said that while ensuring public participation in plantation, people should be motivated to plant a tree in the name of mother. He also directed the forest department officials to plant fruit trees in all forest divisions on the birth centenary of Gaura Devi, who led the Chipko movement. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal directed to conduct self-employment and livelihood based programs to connect the local community with the work of forest conservation. He said that this will increase public participation in the sustainable use and conservation of forest wealth.
Information about the works and achievements of CAMPA till date and this year’s action plan was given through presentation in the meeting. MLA Bhupal Ram Tamta, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu and Meenakshi Sundaram, Forest Department Chief Forest Conservator Dr. Sameer Sinha, Secretary Radhika Jha, Chandresh Kumar, SN Pandey, Sridhar Babu Addanki were present in the meeting.
