CAG flags major lapses in compensatory afforestation in Maharashtra | Mumbai News
Mumbai: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has flagged inadequate compensatory afforestation, a mere 47.37% of the total planned afforestation. The audit found compensatory afforestation being carried out on forest land instead of non-forest land as envisaged, compensatory afforestation not being done due to faulty site selection, and diversion of land for other plantation schemes.The report found that compensatory afforestation could not be taken up on 2,593 hectares due to faulty site selection and diversion of approved land for other plantation schemes. Out of 114 projects covered by the audit, it was found that in 60 projects spread over 3,777 hectares, compensatory afforestation was done on forest land without exploring availability of non-forest land as envisaged in guidelines.Also as of March 2024, 5,727 hectares of afforested non-forest land is yet to be notified as Reserved Forest or Protected Forest, thereby remaining outside the legal framework and safeguards of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.The CAG has highlighted irregular diversion of Rs 95 crore of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) fund meant for budgeted schemes, irregular remittance of amounts towards compensatory afforestation to the National Authority by the user agencies and non-receipt of Rs 41 crore as interest from the National Authority.It has pointed out that Rs 5.5 crore was disbursed to the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra for the establishment of a rescue centre in Gorewada Zoo, in violation of Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Rules, 2018, besides the governing body was non-functional and steering committee and executive committee did not conduct regular meetings resulting in insufficient supervision over the activities of Maharashtra CAMPA.