Question 40 from UPSC CSE 2019 - Environment

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.
2. Peopleâs participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only

Strategy: Focus on institutional structure: CAFMPA was explicitly set up at both national and state levels as mandated by the Act, making Statement 1 correct. For Statement 2, note that the Act does not legally bind authorities to ensure people's participation; it is not mandatory by law. Thus, eliminate Statement 2, confirming only Statement 1 is correct.

Key Info: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 provides the legal framework for setting up the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) at both the National and State levels. The purpose is to ensure proper utilization and monitoring of environmental compensation funds, mainly from project developers who divert forest land. The Act institutionalizes National CAMPA and State CAMPA as permanent authorities with defined functions, including management, planning, and accounting of the funds. It ensures these bodies oversee afforestation and conservation measures as mandated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Act does not stipulate mandatory people's participation in compensatory afforestation projects—community involvement may occur via administrative guidelines or schemes, but is not enshrined in the legal text of the CAF Act, 2016. The funds dealt with include compensatory afforestation, net present value (NPV) of diverted forest land, and other related ecological restoration costs. The Act improves accountability and proper channelization but leaves people's participation discretionary, not compulsory.

Answer

Option B: 2 only

Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2