UPSC Prelims 2019 Q68: Environment & Ecology – Environmental Governance & Legislation
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 (CAF Act) & CAMPA
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAMPA exists at National and State levels | TRUE | The CAF Act 2016 establishes the National CAMPA (as an Authority under MoEFCC) and State CAMPAs in each State/UT for planning and utilizing the compensatory afforestation funds. |
| 2 | People's participation is MANDATORY in compensatory afforestation | FALSE | The CAF Act 2016 does NOT explicitly mandate people's participation in the CA programme. Community participation is desirable but not statutorily required. |
Only statement 1 is correct. Answer: (a) 1 only.
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. CAMPA exists at both national and state levels (S1). People's participation is not statutorily mandatory under the CAF Act (S2 is wrong).
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is correct.
Key point
CAF Act 2016: National CAMPA + State CAMPAs. People's participation NOT mandatory. Fund utilised for compensatory afforestation, catchment treatment, wildlife management.
Remember
Only statement 1 is correct. Under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016, CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) exists at both National (under MoEFCC) and State/UT levels. However, people's participation is NOT statutorily mandatory in compensatory afforestation programmes under the Act.
Common mistakes
- Confusing CAMPA (compensatory afforestation) with community-based conservation (JFM, CFM) - JFM/CFM involve community.
- Assuming any environmental law mandates public participation - EIA does, CAMPA doesn't.
- Not knowing CAMPA was earlier under SC directions (2002) and later formalized by CAF Act 2016.
Exam tip
CAMPA fund uses (as per CAF Act 2016): (i) Compensatory afforestation. (ii) Additional CA. (iii) Penal CA. (iv) Catchment area treatment. (v) Wildlife management. (vi) Forest management. Funds accrue from user agencies diverting forest land - deposited to CAMPA.
Sources
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 - Full text
- MoEFCC - CAMPA Rules and utilisation guidelines