Jammu Kashmir Has Rs 706 Cr CAMPA Funds Unspent | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir continues to hold a substantial unspent balance of afforestation funds, with Rs 706.09 crore lying unused under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) as of February 2026, the Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply to a question by Sat Paul Sharma, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said that only Rs 7.44 crore had been utilised during the financial year 2025–26 for wildlife conservation and forest protection activities in the Union Territory.

The expenditure under CAMPA funds has been directed towards a range of activities including forest fire prevention and control, soil and moisture conservation, habitat improvement, wildlife rescue and veterinary care, biodiversity documentation, strengthening of communication and IT systems, and development of forest infrastructure. The funds have also supported survey and mapping exercises, awareness programmes and the engagement of local communities in protection efforts.

On improving implementation, the government said several measures have been initiated to strengthen the execution of compensatory afforestation programmes in Jammu and Kashmir. These include the introduction of digital monitoring systems, improved planning frameworks, and standardised Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and Annual Plans of Operation.

The government further stated that emphasis is being laid on high-density plantations using indigenous species, alongside integrating soil and moisture conservation works. Monitoring and accountability mechanisms have also been enhanced through third-party evaluations, periodic reviews, and field-level verifications, coupled with increased community participation.

The data highlights a significant gap between available funds and their on-ground utilisation, even as authorities push for improved planning and monitoring to accelerate afforestation and conservation outcomes in the region.