Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (Campa)

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The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It was set up in 2006 to manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF). The CAF is a fund created by the government to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to developmental activities.

The CAMPA has the following sub-topics:

  • Constitution and functions of CAMPA
  • Composition of CAMPA
  • Functions of CAMPA
  • Powers of CAMPA
  • Procedure for utilization of CAF
  • Monitoring and evaluation of CAMPA
  • Reporting of CAMPA
  • Audit of CAMPA
  • Penalties for violation of CAMPA
  • Appeals against orders of CAMPA
  • Repeal and savings
    The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It was set up in 2006 to manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF). The CAF is a fund created by the government to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to developmental activities.

The CAMPA has the following sub-topics:

  • Constitution and functions of CAMPA
  • Composition of CAMPA
  • Functions of CAMPA
  • Powers of CAMPA
  • Procedure for utilization of CAF
  • Monitoring and evaluation of CAMPA
  • Reporting of CAMPA
  • Audit of CAMPA
  • Penalties for violation of CAMPA
  • Appeals against orders of CAMPA
  • Repeal and savings

Constitution and functions of CAMPA

CAMPA is constituted by the Central Government under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. The Authority consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and other members nominated by the Central Government. The Chairperson is a retired Forest Service officer of the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent. The Vice-Chairperson is a retired Forest Service officer of the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent. The other members are experts in the field of forestry, environment, and economics.

The functions of CAMPA are to:

  • Manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF).
  • Ensure that the CAF is utilized for afforestation and other forest-related activities.
  • Monitor the utilization of the CAF.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the CAF.
  • Report to the Central Government on the utilization of the CAF.
  • Audit the accounts of the CAF.

Composition of CAMPA

CAMPA consists of the following members:

  • Chairperson
  • Vice-Chairperson
  • Members nominated by the Central Government
  • Secretary to the CAMPA
  • Chief Conservator of Forests (C.C.F.), who is the Member-Secretary of CAMPA
  • Two representatives of the State Governments
  • Two representatives of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
  • Two representatives of the forest-dependent communities

Functions of CAMPA

The functions of CAMPA are to:

  • Manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF).
  • Ensure that the CAF is utilized for afforestation and other forest-related activities.
  • Monitor the utilization of the CAF.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the CAF.
  • Report to the Central Government on the utilization of the CAF.
  • Audit the accounts of the CAF.

Powers of CAMPA

CAMPA has the following powers:

  • To call for information from any person or authority.
  • To inspect any land or building.
  • To take samples of any material.
  • To summon any person and examine him on oath.
  • To require any person to produce any document.
  • To issue directions to any person or authority.

Procedure for utilization of CAF

The procedure for utilization of the CAF is as follows:

  • The State Governments shall submit proposals to CAMPA for the utilization of the CAF.
  • CAMPA shall scrutinize the proposals and approve them.
  • The State Governments shall implement the approved proposals.
  • CAMPA shall monitor the implementation of the approved proposals.
  • CAMPA shall evaluate the effectiveness of the utilization of the CAF.

Monitoring and evaluation of CAMPA

CAMPA shall monitor the utilization of the CAF and evaluate its effectiveness. The monitoring and evaluation shall be done through the following means:

  • Inspection of the afforestation and other forest-related activities.
  • Review of the reports submitted by the State Governments.
  • Conduct of surveys and studies.
  • Public hearings.

Reporting of CAMPA

CAMPA shall report to the Central Government on the utilization of the CAF. The report shall be submitted annually. The report shall include the following information:

  • The amount of CAF received by the State Governments.
  • The utilization of the CAF by the State Governments.
  • The effectiveness of the utilization of the CAF.

Audit of CAMPA

The accounts of CAMPA shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The audit report shall be submitted to the Central Government.

Penalties for violation of CAMPA

Any person who violates the provisions of CAMPA shall be liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Appeals against orders of CAMPA

Any person aggrieved by an order of CAMPA may appeal to the Central Government. The Central Government may, after hearing the appeal,
What is CAMPA?

CAMPA stands for Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It was set up in 2006 to manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF). The CAF is a fund created by the government to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to developmental activities.

What are the functions of CAMPA?

The functions of CAMPA are to:

  • Manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF).
  • Ensure that the CAF is utilized for the purpose for which it was created.
  • Monitor the utilization of the CAF.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the CAF.
  • Report on the utilization of the CAF.
  • Audit the utilization of the CAF.
  • Impose penalties for violation of the CAMPA Act.
  • Hear appeals against orders of CAMPA.

What is the composition of CAMPA?

The composition of CAMPA is as follows:

  • A Chairperson, who is a retired Forest Service officer of the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
  • A Vice-Chairperson, who is a retired Forest Service officer of the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
  • Ten members, who are nominated by the Central Government.
  • A Secretary, who is a Forest Service officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India.

What are the powers of CAMPA?

The powers of CAMPA are to:

  • Approve the utilization of the CAF.
  • Delegate its powers to any officer or authority.
  • Enter into agreements with any person or organization.
  • Take such measures as it deems necessary for the effective implementation of the CAMPA Act.

What is the procedure for utilization of CAF?

The procedure for utilization of CAF is as follows:

  • CAMPA shall prepare a State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management Plan (SCAFM Plan).
  • The SCAFM Plan shall be approved by the Central Government.
  • CAMPA shall utilize the CAF in accordance with the SCAFM Plan.
  • CAMPA shall maintain proper accounts of the CAF.
  • CAMPA shall submit an annual report to the Central Government on the utilization of the CAF.

What is the monitoring and evaluation of CAMPA?

The monitoring and evaluation of CAMPA is done by the Central Government. The Central Government may appoint an independent agency to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the CAMPA Act.

What is the reporting of CAMPA?

CAMPA shall submit an annual report to the Central Government on the utilization of the CAF. The report shall include the following information:

  • The amount of CAF received by CAMPA during the year.
  • The amount of CAF utilized by CAMPA during the year.
  • The purposes for which the CAF was utilized.
  • The results achieved by the utilization of the CAF.

What is the audit of CAMPA?

The audit of CAMPA is done by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The CAG shall audit the accounts of CAMPA and report to the Parliament of India.

What are the penalties for violation of CAMPA?

Any person who violates the CAMPA Act shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

What are the appeals against orders of CAMPA?

Any person aggrieved by an order of CAMPA may appeal to the Central Government. The Central Government may, after hearing the appeal, confirm, modify or set aside the order of CAMPA.

What is the repeal and savings?

The CAMPA Act may be repealed by the Central Government by an Act of Parliament. However, anything done or any action taken under the CAMPA Act before its repeal shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the repealed Act.
Question 1

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It was set up in 2006 to manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF). The CAF is a fund created by the government to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to developmental activities.

Which of the following is not a function of CAMPA?

(A) To manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF)
(B) To monitor and evaluate the implementation of CAMPA
(C) To report to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the implementation of CAMPA
(D) To audit the accounts of CAMPA

Answer

The correct answer is (D). CAMPA is not responsible for auditing its own accounts. This is the responsibility of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

Question 2

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) is a fund created by the government to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to developmental activities. The CAF is managed and planned by the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

Which of the following is not a source of income for the CAF?

(A) The amount collected as compensatory afforestation charges
(B) The amount received as grants from the government
(C) The amount received as loans from financial institutions
(D) The amount received as interest on the investments of the CAF

Answer

The correct answer is (C). The CAF is not allowed to borrow money from financial institutions. This is because the CAF is a public fund and borrowing money from financial institutions would increase the government’s debt burden.

Question 3

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It was set up in 2006 to manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF). The CAF is a fund created by the government to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to developmental activities.

The CAMPA is headed by a Chairperson who is appointed by the Central Government. The Chairperson is assisted by a Vice-Chairperson and a Secretary. The CAMPA also has a Technical Committee and a Finance Committee.

Which of the following is not a member of the CAMPA?

(A) The Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(B) The Chief Conservator of Forests of the State in which the CAMPA is located
(C) The Director of the Forest Survey of India
(D) The Chief Executive Officer of the National Afforestation and Eco-Restoration Fund

Answer

The correct answer is (D). The Chief Executive Officer of the National Afforestation and Eco-Restoration Fund is not a member of the CAMPA. The National Afforestation and Eco-Restoration Fund is a separate fund that is managed by a different authority.

Question 4

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. It was set up in 2006 to manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF). The CAF is a fund created by the government to compensate for the loss of forest cover due to developmental activities.

The CAMPA is responsible for the following:

(A) To manage and plan the utilization of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF)
(B) To monitor and evaluate the implementation of CAMPA
(C) To report to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the implementation of CAMPA
(D) All of the above

Answer

The correct answer is (D). The CAMPA is responsible for all of the above.