Odisha leads in implementation of CAMPA
Bhubaneswar, Jan 12: Odisha is now the leading state in implementation of CAMPA and creation of compensatory afforestation with around 96% of achievement in this sector.
This has been discussed in the State Level Steering Committee of the State CAMPA held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sri Aditya Prasad Padhi in Secretariat conference hall on Monday wherein Principal Secretary Forest & Environment Sri Suresh Chndra Moahapatra and PCCF Sri J.D. Sharma presented the updates and outlined the issues for discussion.
Reviewing the progress made so far, Chief Secretary directed the department to accomplish the targets of Ama Jungle Yojana (AMY) by 2019. Sri Padhi has asked the department to enhance the capacity of forest officials through qualitative training. It was decided to set up a forest academy in the State and equip all forest officers training institutes with required training materials.
This year, conservation of sacred groove of the tribes and supply of Unnata chulah have been included in the Annual Operation Plan. The committee approved an ambitious Annual Plan of Operation (APO) for 2015-16 with the financial outlay of Rs. 513 crore. A senior forest official said this is the biggest APO in the country for this year.
Available data shows, earlier target was fixed to create 59,936.526 ha compensatory afforestation as per the stipulations of compensatory afforestation rules. So far up to 2014-15 around 53,268.11 ha compensatory afforestation has already been done recording a performance level of 96%. Target has been set to complete the balance 4, 046.97 hect during 2015-16 APO.
Apart from this, security zone plantation and catchment area treatment plantation will be done over 1047 hects, strip plantation will be done over 40,000 kms and 14,750 nos of trees will be planted along the road sides. A financial outlay of Rs. 52.94 cr has been done for this purpose in the APO 2015-16.
Aama Jangala Yojana is being implemented by Govt. of Odisha based on important lessons learnt from OFSDP with a total project cost of Rs.117003.00 lakh for six years. It has been targeted to cover 2000 Vana Surakshya Samities in 30 forest divisions of the State during 2015-16 APO. The major activities under AMY include survey and demarcation of assigned areas to VSS, capacity building of VSS and SHG, implementation of soil & moisture conservation programmes, silvicultural operations and Setting up of nursery and maintenance. Around Rs.22.41 has been allotted in APO budget for these activities.
Around 2161 no. of Sacred Groves have been identified in the State and a scheme namely “Integrated Development of Sacred Groves” has been approved with a financial outlay of Rs.1596.20 lakhs for conservation and development of the places of worship of various tribal communities. Replying to a media query after the meeting, the Additional Chief Conservator of Forests Sri Subash Swain said around 700 sacred grooves would be developed during APO 2015-16 with estimation of Rs.609 lakhs. Similarly target has been fixed for supply of 700 Unnata Chulahs @ Rs1500/- each have also been included in the APO-2015-16.
Development Commissioner Sri R. Balakrishnan , Secretary Panchayati Raj Sri Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh along with senior officers from Department of Forest & Environment Govt of India and Govt of Odisha participated in the deliberations.