Khandu laments slow pace of afforestation work in Arunachal

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday lamented the slow execution of work in the state under the Centre's Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme.

Responding to a question by Congress MLA Ninong Ering in the assembly, the chief minister said he has instructed official to ensure effective implementation of the central scheme in all districts.

"Notable work under the afforestation scheme is seen only in a few districts. I have instructed the chief secretary to ensure strict implementation of CAMPA in all districts and asked the deputy commissioners to submit proposals under the scheme in their respective districts by July 30," he said.

Ering, during the Question Hour, proposed the erection of electric fences in Daying Ering wildlife sanctuary in East Siang to keep the elephant herds within the sanctuary, in the wake of rising man-animal conflict in the area.

To this, Khandu said that officials will be directed to study the feasibility of the proposal.

Responding to another supplementary question, the CM said that the state government has received Rs 712.52 crore from the Centre for afforestation projects, including the ones under CAMPA, since 2009-10, and has released the entire amount for carrying out various development works.

Khandu also said that a separate account is being maintained for the expenditure incurred to ensure transparency in utilisation of funds under CAMPA.

"The divisional forest officers (DFOs) and chief conservators of forest (CCFs) have been regularly submitting fund utilisation certificates and progress reports, which are then being audited," he said.

All activities under the scheme are being uploaded on e-green watch portal of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Khandu stated.

"Work undertaken under CAMPA include compensatory afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, forest management, construction of residential and non-residential quarters and protection of wildlife and biodiversity," he added.