CS chairs 19th Steering Committee meeting of CAMPA
Jammu: Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Friday chaired the 19th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to consider the Annual Plan of Operations (APOs) for the year 2021-22.
The Chief Secretary stressed the use of IT tools in the preparation of thematic digital maps like GIS, GPS, ICT equipment, and use of drones and mobile apps for real-time surveillance. “These interventions can potentially increase the qualitative output of Department’s efforts towards forest conservation, protection, and regeneration”, he added.
Reviewing the implementation of special projects, the Chief Secretary directed the Department to focus on catchment area treatment of the Wular Lake, rehabilitation of the Tosamaidan, and stabilization of slip areas on the NH-44 especially in the Ramban Banihal section.
He also asked the department to take up peripheral plantation in pockets of land around industrial estates, roads, and public buildings including schools, besides, developing city forests in both the divisions.
It was informed that the Department has put in place an effective monitoring mechanism to closely monitor the execution of CAMPA works. This includes field-level inspections, Departmental Monitoring Committees, hosting of GPS coordinates/polygons on the departmental website, third party evaluation of CAMPA works and involvement of Village Panchayat Committees. J&K CAMPA is also in the process of creating a dedicated CAMPA Portal to monitor progress on a real-time basis.
The Forest Department is also undertaking path-breaking low-cost innovations in forest regeneration through the use of seed balls. The seed balls which can be made with the assistance of various Self Help Groups (SHGs) can be scattered in difficult areas such as mountains, remote areas and muck dumping sites, and do not require special care, soil work, and fencing to promote plant growth.
For effective monitoring and evaluation of CAMPA works, the Chief Secretary emphasized putting in place a rigorous monitoring mechanism by clubbing and placing suitable number of projects under the supervision of a high-ranking officer.
