Hyderabad:Forests are the nucleus of human civilization. Even today, trees are responsible for human subsistence.
Unforeseen natural calamities are happening due to mindless destruction of green cover all over the world. Deforestation is the major reason for climate changes and unseasonal occurrences.
In order to prevent loss of green cover, CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) act has been introduced in our country.
Deforestation will lead us to devastation. Under this act, 47,000 crores have been sanctioned to 27 states across India for alternative afforestation. Lion’s share has been given to Odisha (5,933 crores), Chhattisgarh (5,791 crores), Madhya Pradesh (5,196 crores) and Jharkhand (4,158 crores). Telangana and Maharashtra were given about 3,000 crores each.
Central Minister Prakash Javadekar instructed the states to use this money towards afforestation, conservation of wildlife and prevention of wildfires in the forests. He strictly instructed against using any of these funds for paying the salaries and allowances of Forest Department staff.
The states are already vexed with the meagre allocation of funds from the Centre. We must wait and watch how they will utilize these newly allotted funds.
In order to compensate for the lands where trees have been cut down for industrial purposes, CAMPA bill was passed.
The Supreme Court has allowed in 2009 to take out money from the fund that the states gave as compensation for cutting down forests. In 2014, it permitted to give back 10% interest on the funds that the states deposit towards CAMPA act. Owing to this, 40,000 crores have been collected so far. By 2018, The Centre might distribute 80% of this money among states.
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now. This year, there have been amendments to the act, and it was concluded that 90% of the funds would be distributed to the states. The thousands of crores of deposits mean only one thing-that the environment is being destroyed at an alarming rate.
During 2014-18, 1600 acres of forests in South Konkan region of Maharashtra have become extinct. During 2013-16, about 6 lakh trees were illegally cut down in Telugu states. With official support or without it, 16 lakh hectares of forest cover was destroyed during 2001-2018 according to World Resource Organization.
In order to recompensate for lost forest cover, states must strive harder with all their might.
Within the past 5 years, there has been an increase of 1% total forest cover according to Javadekar. As per a survey by the Centre 3 years back, the total forest cover in our nation is 7,08,273 square kilometres i.e. 21% of the total land in India.
Although another survey stated that it has increased to 24%, talks about “development” are leading to dismay. The environmentalists are voicing out their concerns that these statistics are distorted.
According to the National Forest Policy of 1952, achieving 33% of forest cover is still a distant mirage. Many nations across the world are putting in conservation efforts. Neighbouring Bhutan has about 71% forest cover.
Within the past 5 decades, South Korea has increased its forest cover twofold according to the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFR). Not so long ago, Costa Rica had only 21% green cover which is now increased to 52%.
He who plants a tree plants hope. East African country Tanzania has put vigorous efforts with the help of its citizens to achieve 52% green cover. Taking these nations as an inspiration, our states must strive to recompensate for the lost forests.
Alternative afforestation does not mean the lost forest cover has been revived. Unless forest conservation is taken up seriously and minimize deforestation, the wrath of the environment cannot be stopped.
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