PANAJI
The National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has directed Goa to furnish reconciliation of project-wise information on forest land diverted for non-forest purpose and the compensatory afforestation (CA) undertaken since 1980.
In a communication to the State Chief Secretary, the Chief Executive Officer Subhash Chandra has sought data before CAMPA body was constituted and post CAMPA came into force in 2008-09 and once the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016 came into force.
“The DGF advised States/UTs to furnish reconciliation of project wise information on forest land diverted and the corresponding status of CA against approvals of forest land diversion granted by the Central government under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 1980.
As per the information, Goa has lost over 249.96 sq kms of forest land for non-forestry projects like mining, roads, water pipeline, double tracking of railway line and other infrastructure purposes in over two decades.
Such a huge diversion was despite the FCA 1980, which provides for the conservation of forests across the country in several ways including restricting the use of forests for non-forest purposes (including cultivation).
The data further reveals that of the total 245.96 sq kms, almost 11 per cent, that is 28.05 sq kms of the land, was diverted in the last five years from 2019-23.
Nearly 40 per cent of the diverted land was used for iron ore mining and dumping purposes while the other 60 per cent was towards government infrastructure projects. Goa lost a large chunk of its forest land in the early 90s.
From 1980 till December 2024, the State has managed to take up a total of 3079 ha of CA and penal CA towards diversion of forest land under Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
Data shows that the State has to take up a total of 3765.4 ha of CA and Penal CA together- 3,549.15 ha of CA and 216 ha of Penal CA. The State has to achieve 686 ha of CA and Penal CA by March 2027.
In August 2019, Goa received its share of Rs 238 crore, collected since 2009, under CAMPA for promoting afforestation and achieving green objectives.
The CAMPA said that as per CA Fund Rules, not less than 80 per cent of the Net present value (NPV) funds must be earmarked for afforestation and related activities and the maximum of 20 per cent funds may be allocated for essential infrastructure support and capacity building.
