Karnataka environment minister seeks release of funds from Centre under CAMPA and Project Tiger

Khandre also said that he has requested the Central government to release funds to Karnataka under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

“A proposal has been submitted to the Union government seeking Rs 362 crore under CAMPA for the year 2023-24. Of this, only Rs 140 crore has been granted. In the meeting it was requested that the remaining funds be released soon. In order to take up forestry works in nine cities in Karnataka, the state government has also sought Rs 26.70 crore under the urban forest scheme,” Khandre said.

Through CAMPA, state governments compensate for the losses incurred due to diversion of forests for various projects.

Earlier this month, the Karnataka forest department had started collecting entry fees from private and goods vehicles entering the state through tiger reserves. According to officials, the move was aimed at generating additional revenue to meet the expenses of conservation initiatives in the tiger reserves.

“Karnataka has five tiger reserves and the allocation of funds under Project Tiger is significant to meet the salaries of frontline staff deployed in these reserves. If the frontline staff is paid their monthly salaries, incidents like poaching and forestfires could be properly checked. The department also has to procure protective gear for the staff, CCTV installations at prominent points to keep a check on illegal activities in the reserves,” a senior forest official said.