Over 1.06 lakh hectares treated, 746 lakh saplings planted under CAMPA since 2010; CS reviews afforestation works

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, May 21: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday reviewed the progress of afforestation and ecological restoration works being carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), directing officials to strengthen monitoring systems and link contractor payments with plantation survival rates.

The review was conducted during the 27th meeting of the J&K CAMPA Steering Committee attended by senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Forests Sheetal Nanda, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoF) Sarvesh Rai, Chief Wildlife Warden and CEO CAMPA K. S. Jayachandran.

During the meeting, Dulloo directed the Forest Department to complete digitization of forest maps and boundary pillars for improved demarcation and protection of forest land. He stressed the need to improve plantation survival rates and asked the department to incorporate clauses in future tenders linking contractor payments with the survival of saplings.

He also directed the Finance Department to vet future tenders to ensure accountability mechanisms are built into afforestation projects.

The Chief Secretary emphasized greater field presence of forest officials, particularly up to the rank of Rangers, to strengthen forest protection and enhance green cover across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the presentation made during the meeting, more than 1,06,023 hectares of degraded forest land have been treated through afforestation, assisted natural regeneration and ecological restoration measures since the launch of CAMPA activities in 2010-11.

Officials informed the meeting that around 746.65 lakh saplings have been planted across various forest divisions during the same period.

The review also noted a decline in diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes after 2020, while the area brought under ecological restoration and afforestation programmes has nearly doubled in recent years.

Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar stressed the need to recreate missing forest records on the lines of the Revenue Department and advocated phased payments linked to plantation survival for better accountability.

Commissioner Secretary Forests Sheetal Nanda informed the meeting that the department had institutionalized a multi-layer monitoring and evaluation mechanism for effective execution of projects.

Providing details of recent works, PCCF Sarvesh Rai said that during 2025-26, nearly 2,952 hectares of area had been treated under various CAMPA components across the Union Territory.

He said over 12.65 lakh running feet of fencing had been completed, while 19.32 lakh patch sowing and dibbling interventions were carried out. Additionally, 68.70 lakh saplings were raised in nurseries and maintenance of over 164 lakh nursery saplings was undertaken during the year.

The department also executed 37,001 cubic metres of soil and moisture conservation works, constructed 108 water harvesting structures and ponds, completed 27 check dams and established more than 14,940 boundary pillars during the financial year.

CEO CAMPA K. S. Jayachandran informed the meeting that plantation activities had accelerated significantly after 2020, with annual plantation figures increasing from an average of around 46.60 lakh saplings over the previous 16 years to over 67 lakh saplings in 2020-21 and subsequent years.

He said over 40.35 lakh saplings and planting bags were utilized during 2025-26 alone for afforestation and ecological restoration works.

The meeting was also informed that more than 374.78 lakh running feet of fencing and 1,47,623 boundary pillars had been installed across Jammu and Kashmir for forest protection and demarcation.

Officials further highlighted ecological restoration and biodiversity management works being undertaken in hydroelectric project areas including the Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project, Kiru Hydroelectric Project, Kwar Hydroelectric Project, Ratle Hydroelectric Project and Shahpur Kandi Project.

The interventions include afforestation, slope stabilization, fire prevention, wildlife habitat improvement, eco-development activities and biodiversity park development.

The review also covered expansion of wildlife conservation infrastructure, including rescue centres, anti-poaching facilities, interpretation centres and habitat improvement works in ecologically sensitive areas such as Kishtwar High Altitude National Park.

The Chief Secretary was informed that monitoring of CAMPA works is being undertaken through geo-tagging, public disclosure on e-Green Watch portals, regular inspections and third-party evaluations. A third-party assessment for works executed during 2022-23 recorded an overall plantation survival rate of over 51 per cent across Jammu and Kashmir.

While appreciating the department’s achievements, Dulloo stressed the need for improving survival rates, strengthening scientific monitoring and increasing community participation in afforestation programmes to ensure long-term ecological resilience in the Union Territory.