MOEF, CC issues notification
Srinagar, Jan 23 : After bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, the Government of India has constituted two authorities of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management Act (CAMPA) in Union Territories of Jammu and Ladakh.
The Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change has notified Jammu and Kashmir Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority and Ladakh Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation ( removal of difficulties) order, 2019, the Central Government hereby appoints 8th January 2020 as the date of constitution of state authorities to be called the State Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority in (J&K and Ladakh) Union Territories,” reads the notification issued by MOEF &CC, a copy of which is with the wire service.
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act provides institutional mechanism, both at the Centre and in each State and Union Territory, to ensure expeditious utilization in efficient and transparent manner of funds released in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forest purpose which would mitigate impact of diversion of such forest land.
As already reported by news agency, the Central CAF Act was extended to Jammu & Kashmir on October 30 last year when the President ordered application of all central laws, which were not applicable to J&K but to rest of India, to the newly created UT. Before re-organisation of Jammu and Kashmir, the CAMPA funds were utilized under State’s own Forest Act and rules. (KNO)
