Consider the following statements : 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels. 2. People's participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (a)
• The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 created a National Fund and State Funds and established the National CAMPA and State CAMPAs to manage money paid by user agencies diverting forest land (statement 1).
• Statement 2 is wrong: the Act and CAF Rules, 2018 leave afforestation to Forest Departments; consultation with Gram Sabhas is provided in some cases but people's participation is not mandatory, a major criticism.
• About ₹54,000 crore accumulated in the fund was transferred to States in 2019.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: participation is not mandatory.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 1 is correct: CAMPA exists at both levels.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.