- Why in news
- On 10 July 2026, the 7th Governing Body meeting of National CAMPA, chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav at Coimbatore, approved the new Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana and four species conservation projects, and extended MISHTI till 2029.
- What it is
- National CAMPA is the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority under the Environment Ministry. It manages money paid by users who divert forest land for non-forest uses. The money funds compensatory afforestation, Net Present Value-linked activities and wildlife conservation, and is spent by States and UTs through Annual Plans of Operation.
- Governing Body chair
- The 7th Governing Body meeting was chaired by the Union Environment Minister at CASFOS, Coimbatore.
- Audit by CAG
- The CAG certified the FY 2024-25 accounts of National Authority CAMPA, giving a true and fair view.
- Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana
- New scheme with Rs 3,000 crore over 2026-27 to 2030-31 for about 15,000 sacred groves.
- MISHTI extension
- MISHTI extended to 2029 with an extra Rs 500 crore, taking the outlay to Rs 600 crore.
- Digital APO
- For FY 2026-27, States and UTs must submit Annual Plans of Operation only online.
- Legal basis
- CAMPA derives from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016, which created the National and State funds and authorities.
Don’t confuse with National CAMPA vs State CAMPA: The National Authority oversees policy and the National Fund. State Authorities manage State Funds and prepare plans of operation.
Don’t confuse with CA vs NPV: Compensatory afforestation is planting to replace diverted forest land. Net Present Value is a payment for the loss of forest ecosystem services.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Gives a funded, audited route to offset forest loss from diversion.
- Extends funds to species recovery, mangroves and sacred groves.
Problems
- Past under-utilisation of funds and delays by States.
- Plantations may not replace the ecological value of natural forests.
Way forward
- Use satellite monitoring and digital plans for transparency and timely spending.
- Involve local communities in plantation upkeep and sacred grove protection.
Put in your answer
Digital monitoring: Digital APO, GIS Lab and Harit-SANKALP portal give traceable, real-time monitoring of CAMPA work.
Nagar Van Yojana: 652 Nagar Vans or Vatikas developed with Rs 571.50 crore released, an urban green example.
- 2025Mains GS4 · Q2Ethical dilemmas in clearing projects in sensitive border areas
- 2019Prelims Q68Statements on CAF Authority levels and mandatory people's participation in afforestation
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: A lasting statutory body on the syllabus with a governing body review. Statutory bodies are only 7 of 327 Prelims questions, and the release gives few testable facts.
Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 10 Jul, 13:18 IST · Release 291076
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.