Dehradun: Forest divisions in Uttarakhand have spent only 21% of the Rs 104 crore released under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) as of August 31, raising questions over the pace of utilisation. Narendranagar Forest Division received the highest allocation at Rs 24.41 crore but has spent only Rs 2.90 crore so far.
A total of Rs 339 crore has been approved for Uttarakhand under CAMPA for the current financial year. Of this, Rs 104 crore was released in the first phase. Narendranagar received the largest share, followed by Dehradun Forest Division, which was allocated Rs 23.26 crore.
Other forest divisions in Garhwal received allocations ranging from Rs 1.90 crore to around Rs 9 crore. The lowest allocation of Rs 1.90 crore was released to the Land Conservation Alaknanda Forest Division.
Narendranagar allocation linked to catchment plan
According to CAMPA officials, the higher allocation to Narendranagar was primarily linked to works being undertaken under a catchment plan. These works focus on reducing soil erosion caused by rainwater and preventing sediment from flowing directly into rivers and reservoirs.
Despite receiving Rs 24.41 crore, the division has so far spent Rs 2.90 crore, which is around 12% of its released allocation. The figures indicate that a substantial portion of the funds remains unutilised.
Dehradun Forest Division has spent Rs 11.28 crore from the Rs 23.26 crore released to it. Several other forest divisions have utilised only 8% to 12% of the funds allocated to them.
Additional Rs 207 crore adds to spending challenge
The slow pace of expenditure becomes more significant as another Rs 207 crore has already been received from the Union ministry. This amount is yet to be released to the respective forest divisions, adding to the funds that will need to be utilised in the coming months.
With only six months remaining in the financial year, forest divisions will face the challenge of accelerating implementation while ensuring that the funds are spent on the approved works.
CAMPA CEO BK Gangte said rain makes it difficult to carry out field works during the monsoon and that work would be accelerated once rainfall subsides. He said officials have been instructed to speed up implementation and reiterated that the higher allocation to Narendranagar was due to catchment-plan works.
