Should no prior and proper detailed surveys be conducted , physical data collected , identifying the areas to be targeted like groundwork be necessarily done in respect of preparing Annual Plans for affecting compensatory afforestation ? In this respect, casual approach is to this extent that the UT Government virtually is ignorant of how much the forest areas were impacted adversely due to the continued process of developmental works having taken place or currently going on in specific forest areas in Jammu and Kashmir. Whatever portion or areas are impacted with such unavoidable developmental works must be precisely identified, demarcated and proper plans formulated to compensate such loss these forest areas suffered in the shape of felling of trees and other damages suffered.
The funds provided for such an important task, it is learnt, are not utilized in time for plantation process which causes delays in the compensatory process and damage to the forest crest. Compensatory Afforestaion Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has certain set guidelines which are violated which has been actually found and viewed seriously during the audit process by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India . A sample audit in 27 forest divisions painted quite an unsatisfactory performance even to the levels of not releasing the CAMPA funds when required . Realistic evaluation thus could not be done in the absence of surveys and collating of ground data as even sporadic disputes took place leading to changing of sites which denotes a reckless and haphazard way of carrying out compensatory afforesation drive in the specific forest areas. What is needed, therefore, is a realistic, target oriented, guidelines savvy and timely executed action in compensating the loss suffered by the forests.
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