Overview
The CAMPA has cleared four flagship wildlife‑conservation projects covering river dolphins, snow leopards, Indian rhinoceroses and wild water buffaloes. The decisions were taken at a meeting in Coimbatore on 10 July 2026. Alongside these, CAMPA extended its mangrove‑restoration scheme MISHTI for three more years with a revised outlay of ₹600 crore.
Key Developments (July 2026)
- Study and recovery action plan for river dolphins approved.
- Phase‑II of Project Snow Leopard – second cycle of population estimation – given the green light.
- Conservation and action plan for the Indian rhinoceros sanctioned.
- Pan‑India conservation approach for the wild water buffalo approved.
- Continued support for Manipur’s Brow‑antlered deer (Sangai).
- Extension of MISHTI till 2029 with a budget of ₹600 crore.
Important Facts about CAMPA and Compensatory Afforestation
- CAMPA operates under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
- Funds are collected as compensatory afforestation charges from developers, government agencies and other entities.
- Charges are non‑lapsable, interest‑bearing and shared between the National and State/UT funds in a 10:90 ratio.
- The National CAMPA fund resides in the Public Account of India; State/UT funds are in their respective Public Accounts.
- Any diversion of forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 must include a detailed compensatory afforestation scheme approved by the concerned State/UT.
Relevance for UPSC Aspirants
Understanding CAMPA is crucial for GS‑2 (Polity) and GS‑3 (Environment) because:
- It illustrates how India links development with ecological compensation, a key theme in sustainable development.
- The mechanism showcases inter‑governmental coordination – National vs. State/UT roles – relevant for questions on federalism.
- Projects like MISHTI blend biodiversity conservation with livelihood generation, reflecting the ‘environment‑development nexus’ asked in essay and answer‑writing.
- Critiques about plantation‑based compensation versus natural ecosystem restoration help in discussing the limits of policy implementation.
Way Forward
To strengthen the impact of compensatory afforestation, the following steps are recommended:
- Prioritise restoration on degraded non‑forest lands as mandated by the CAF Act, reducing pressure on existing forests.
- Integrate native species and ecosystem‑specific planting rather than monoculture plantations to better mimic natural habitats.
- Enhance monitoring and community participation to ensure long‑term survival of planted trees and wildlife corridors.
- Allocate a higher share of the interest earnings to biodiversity‑focused projects, aligning financial returns with ecological outcomes.
By tracking these developments, UPSC candidates can answer questions on environmental policy, federal finance mechanisms, and the balance between development and conservation.