The funds, intended for afforestation activities to compensate for the loss of forest land due to non-forest use, were instead used to purchase electronic gadgets such as iPhones and laptops, as well as household appliances like fridges and coolers, according to The Indian Express report. Additionally, a portion of the funds was spent on building renovations.
The audit, which reviewed the functioning of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for 2019-2022, found that ₹13.86 crore had been spent on activities unrelated to afforestation.
According to CAMPA guidelines, any afforestation should be carried out within a year or two growing seasons from the receipt of funds. However, the report noted that in 37 instances, afforestation was undertaken more than eight years after receiving final clearance. The delay resulted in a cost escalation amounting to ₹11.54 crore.
The report also highlighted concerns regarding the effectiveness of the afforestation efforts. The survival rate of the planted trees was found to be only 33.51%, significantly lower than the required survival rate of 60-65%, as prescribed by the Forest Research Institute. Furthermore, land suitability for afforestation was another major issue.
In five forest divisions, 1,204.04 hectares of land were deemed unsuitable for afforestation. The report stated that divisional forest officers (DFOs) had issued incorrect suitability certificates without verifying the actual condition of the land. Despite this negligence, no action was taken against the responsible officers.
The audit further pointed out that the Uttarakhand state government failed to clear an interest liability of ₹275.34 crore from 2019-20 to 2021-22, despite multiple requests from CAMPA. In addition, an approved Annual Plan of Operations with an estimated cost of ₹76.35 crore did not see any funds being allocated to implementing agencies during the audit period.
Another major irregularity flagged in the report was the disbursement of funds by the CEO of CAMPA to forest divisions and implementing agencies without obtaining the necessary approval from the Head of the Forest Force. The report stated that this occurred between July 2020 and November 2021, following directions issued by the Principal Secretary (Forest) in July 2020.
