House unlocks afforestation fund

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Campa (Compensatory Afforestation Manage-ment and Planning Authority) Bill after the government assured the Opposition members of taking into account concerns raised by them. The debate over the Bill, that aims to pave way for smooth disbursal to the states of an accumulated amount of over `42,000 crore for afforestation activities, saw Opposition members urging the government to have inclusive approach towards gramsabhas, a concern voiced first by former environment minister and Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday, besides ensuring protection of rights of tribals and forest dwellers. Some members exhorted the Centre to be wary of “misspending” and trust the states in wisely using the funds.

Replying to the debate on the Bill, environment minister Anil Madhav Dave said: “The money available under this fund is huge. This fund is not of anybody but of team India. It would be returned to the states that have suffered deforestation on account of development.” Citing “public participation” in clause 6 of the Bill, the newly-appointed minister assured the House that in case the land chosen to be afforested is with the gramsabha, their consultation will be taken and the rules under the law would be framed after their necessary consultation.” “I assure the House that the process is completely democratic and in case the rules are not found to be adequate we will revisit them in a year,” he said, prompting Opposition members, including Mr Ramesh, to not move their amendments during the voice vote, leading to smooth passage of the Bill.

“Ever since the enactment of Panchayati Raj law, the government has to work as per their rules,” Mr Dave said, adding, “There may be some differences but states are capable of using the money wisely as per the constitution.”

Initiating the debate after lunch, BJP MP from Rajasthan Bhupender Yadav said that the government wants to ensure that the country’s green cover grows and the rights of those living in the forests are protected. This fund will be spent in a transparent manner. “Some of the measures that can be taken up with these funds include improving wetlands, maintaining wild animals corridors, carry skill development programs for locals,” he added.

Demanding more allocation of funds for Uttar Pradesh, Chaudhary Munawar Saleem of Samajwadi Party said the amount of Rs 42,000 crore was not “adequate” and the Centre should contribute more in it.

JDU MP Harivansh and CPI (M) member C P Narayanan not only emphasised on protecting the rights of the forest dwellers, especially the tribals, they also urged the government to utilise the fund effectively. “The funds should not be misspend as has been the case earlier,” said Mr Harivansh. Speaking soon after him, Mr Narayanan added: “We require afforestation but it should not be like planting any tree anywhere. It should be done in a proper, scientific manner, which we have not done in the past. If we continue to do it in that fashion it would be a great tragedy.” P Rathinavel (AIADMK) said the key to increase the green cover was through better conservation practices and law.

While TMC MP Mohd Nadimul Haque called for a state-level monitoring group to check that the fund is properly spent, BJD’s Dilip Kumar Tirkey cited the example of China saying India too must adopt technology whereby uprooted trees can be planted somewhere else.

NCP leader Praful Patel while pointing out that “development and forests are two things which have to be taken together but this is a big challenge” urged the government to refrain from random afforestation but spend intelligently, uniformly and wisely.”

Pointing out that the Bill had a “limited” scope, D Raja of CPI stressed on protecting the bio-diversity while asserting that despite the Forest Rights Act, the forest dwellers were being “forcibly evicted”. Raja stressed that “gram sabha’s opinion has to be taken into consideration because they represent the villagers and forest dweller.” “They (Gram Sabha) must be taken into confidence. I agree with Jairam Ramesh (Congress leader) that Gram Sabha’s approval or sanction is necessary.”

Congress leader Digvijay Singh said he supported the idea behind the Bill but not the manner of implementation prescribed. He alleged that the Tribal Affairs Ministry had not been involved in the consultation while drafting the Bill. He urged the government to review the bill and give some powers to state authorities. Mr Singh expressed apprehension that the money will be utilised for paying salaries of officers instead of afforestation purpose, while opposing the procedure of implementation of the Act saying the Gram Sabha was not represented and it opened a window for eviction of forest dwellers, most of whom were tribals.

DMK leader TKS Elangovan suggested the title of the Bill be changed to “Targeted Afforestation Fund” Bill.

Share to be given to States (in crores)

Orissa – Rs 5,996 Chattisgarh – Rs 3,861 Madhya Pradesh – Rs 3,469 Jharkhand – Rs 3,099 Maharashtra – Rs 2,435 Andhra Pradesh – Rs 2,223 Uttrakhand – Rs 2,210 Arunachal Pradesh – Rs 1,462 Rajasthan – Rs 1,425 Himachal Pradesh — Rs 1,395 Uttar Pradesh – Rs 1,314 Gujarat — Rs 1,106 Jammu and Kashmir – Rs 926 Karnataka – Rs 917

What is CAMPA Bill CAMPA Bill aims at creating an institutional framework through which an unspent amount of Rs 42,000 crores for afforestation activities could be given to the states.

The money has been accumulated in the past four years from the compensation against deforestation activities in the country. But due to the absence of a legal national body to ensure proper distribution this money was lying unspent. 90 per cent of the amount now will go to states and the remaining will be there with the central government.