New Delhi: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Thursday handed over Rs 47,436 crores to 27 states for compensatory afforestation and other green activities, including prevention of forest fire, biodiversity management and soil conservation.
Addressing a press conference, Union Minister for Environment, Prakash Javadekar emphasized on Compensatory Afforestation and said the funds provided cannot be used for payment of salary, travelling allowance, medical expenses, among others.
"The funds cane be used for afforestation, water conservation, Catchment Area Treatment (CAT), voluntary relocation of villages from protected areas and to increase the biodiversity," Javadekar said.
"However, the State budget for green activities shall remain unaffected and the fund being transferred would be in addition to State Budget," he added.
Among the 27 states, which have been allotted Rs 47,436 crores, Odisha gets the highest amount of Rs 5933 crore for afforestation activities.
Further, the Union government will also monitor the funds using Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management Planning Authority (CAMPA) and with the help of technologies including geotagging.
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