Haryana approves CAMPA fund reallocation for nurseries, plantations, and wildlife protection, strengthening forest conservation across the state.
The Haryana government approved a number of supplementary and additional proposals under the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to improve protection infrastructure, secure wildlife habitats, and strengthen plantations throughout the state, highlighting the fact that effective forest conservation starts at the nursery level.In accordance with national regulations controlling the use of Net Present Value (NPV) and interest funds, the approvals were given at the ninth meeting of the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority, Haryana’s Steering Committee, which was presided over by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi. Sh. Vineet Garg, IFS, PCCF (HoFF), Sh. Vivek Saxena, IFS, CWLW, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, ACS, Forests and Wildlife, and Sh. Navdeep Singh, IFS, CEO, Haryana CAMPA, were present at the meeting.
The Steering Committee authorized the reallocation of funds for nursery operations and plantation activities in light of the State’s policy change away from eucalyptus plantings and the rising costs of inputs. To cover the increased expense of cultivating Melia dubia seedlings, ₹1.65 crore that was originally allocated for the cultivation of clonal eucalyptus plants has been reallocated. Healthier nursery stock and higher plantation survival rates under compensatory afforestation programs are anticipated outcomes of this choice.
The reallocation of ₹1.48 crore under the NPV component for wildlife habitat development projects in 2025–2026 was also approved. The decision, which prioritizes habitat maintenance and ecological restoration in protected areas, was made in response to a comprehensive recommendation by the Wildlife Department.
The Committee approved the acquisition of three patrol cars for the Kalka, Naraingarh, and Chhachhrauli forest ranges at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh, acknowledging the ecological sensitivity of the Shivalik region. The vehicles will assist reduce forest and animal offenses in critical areas and improve field-level vigilance.
The Steering Committee authorized ₹35 lakh for a thorough feasibility study on soil and water conservation projects in the districts of Yamunanagar, Ambala, and Panchkula in order to promote long-term ecological stability in the Shivaliks. Building on previous evaluations, the project will offer an action plan for each year and each catchment, directing future conservation expenditures.