The recent study on compensatory afforestation initiated due to forest diversion for developmental projects in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district has revealed surprising figures. The study conducted by the Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective found that only 10% of the reported saplings were actually planted, and their survival rate was a mere 3.6%.
Data Analysis from the Study
According to government data and field research conducted from 2012-2016, as of 31st March 2014, the total area demarcated for compensatory afforestation was 1,930 hectares. This was in lieu of the 984 hectares of forest land diverted for non-forest activities such as road construction, hydro-projects, transmission lines, etc.
Kinnaur’s diverted forest land, which had a total of 11,598 standing trees belonging to 21 species, saw a majority of felling in coniferous trees, with cedar [3,612 felled] and near-threatened chilgoza pines [2,743] topping the list. Funds collected under Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plan for Kinnaur’s projects between 2002 and 2014 amounted to Rs.162.82 crore. However, only 36% of this amount had been utilized up to 31st March 2014.
Hydropower Projects and Forest Diversion
Diversion of forest in Kinnaur primarily takes place for the development of hydropower projects and transmission lines, accounting for more than 90% of the diversion. Himachal Pradesh boasts the highest installed capacity of hydropower projects of 10,000 MW in the country. Located in the Sutlej basin, Kinnaur is the state’s hydropower hub with 53 planned hydropower projects.
Understanding Compensatory Afforestation
As per the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) rules, for every hectare of forest land diverted, double the area of ‘degraded’ lands are utilized for ‘compensatory afforestation’. This rule mandates that any time forest land is used for non-forest purposes like mining or industry, an equal area of non-forest land, or twice the degraded forest land area, should be used for forestation.
Distribution of Compensatory Afforestation Fund
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) rules state that 90% of the fund should be given to the states, while the Centre retains the remaining 10%. These funds are primarily used for CAT, assisted natural generation, forest management, wildlife protection and management, relocation of villages from protected areas, managing human-wildlife conflicts, training, awareness generation, and supply of wood-saving devices and related activities.
Challenges Faced in Compensatory Afforestation
One of the chief challenges faced in compensatory afforestation is the unavailability of land for the purpose. Large parts of Kinnaur are rocky, cold deserts where nothing can grow. About 10% of the district is already forested, while the rest is devoted to agriculture or serves as grasslands. The allocated plots for afforestation often include grasslands used by villagers for grazing cattle. Many locals uproot saplings as they do not wish to see the grassland transformed into a forest.
The Role of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) functions as a national advisory council. It operates under the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s chairmanship, providing monitoring, technical assistance, and evaluation of compensatory afforestation activities.
Looking Forward
Since the Forest Department is rapidly running out of space for compensatory afforestation, it should consider carrying out plantations in other districts in lieu of forest land diverted in Kinnaur. There is a pressing need to comprehend and address the adverse effects of deforestation promptly with adequate resources and sufficient monitoring. The state should involve the local community more, fostering stronger connections between people and forests for better care and protection of saplings and existing trees.
