SYLLABUS

GS-3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context: Recently, the 7th Meeting of the Governing Body of National CAMPA, chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in Coimbatore, approved four new national-level conservation projects for the Gangetic River Dolphin, Snow Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, and Wild Water Buffalo.

More on the News

• The Governing Body also approved the ‘Aastha Van Sanrakshan Yojana’ with an initial outlay of ₹3,000 crore (2026–31) for conservation and restoration of nearly 15,000 sacred groves across the country. 
• It approved the extension of MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) up to 2029 with additional financial support for mangrove restoration and conservation. 
• The meeting reviewed the progress of the Nagar Van Yojana, which promotes urban forests and green spaces in cities. 
• It also approved continued support for Sangai (Manipur Brow-antlered Deer) conservation and reviewed the establishment of a CAMPA GIS Monitoring Laboratory for technology-enabled monitoring of conservation projects.

Key Conservation Projects Approved by National CAMPA

• Project Dolphin
  Preparation of a Conservation and Recovery Action Plan for the Gangetic River Dolphin, including population assessment, habitat mapping, and river-health monitoring.
  Focus on threat mitigation, protection of critical riverine habitats, and strengthening long-term conservation of freshwater ecosystems. 
• Project Snow Leopard (Phase-II)
  Strengthens conservation of snow leopard populations and fragile Himalayan ecosystems through scientific monitoring and habitat protection.
  Includes the second nationwide population estimation of Snow Leopards and promotes community-based conservation initiatives. 
• Indian Rhinoceros Conservation Project
  Focuses on habitat improvement, corridor development, and strengthening anti-poaching measures for the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros.
  Emphasizes genetic diversity conservation, disease surveillance, and long-term population security. 
• Wild Water Buffalo Conservation Project
  Adopts India's first pan-India conservation approach for the Wild Water Buffalo across its range states.
  Focuses on habitat restoration, population recovery, genetic purity, and mitigation of hybridisation threats from domestic buffaloes.

Significance of the Approved Projects

• Strengthening Species-Specific Conservation: The projects expand India's species-focused conservation framework beyond traditional flagship programmes and provide dedicated attention to threatened wildlife species. 
• Promoting Landscape-Based Conservation: The initiatives cover diverse ecosystems, including riverine habitats, Himalayan landscapes, floodplains, wetlands, and grasslands, encouraging holistic ecosystem management. 
• Advancing Science-Based Wildlife Management: The projects emphasize population estimation, GIS-based monitoring, habitat connectivity, genetic conservation, and evidence-based wildlife management practices. 
• Supporting Biodiversity Commitments: The initiatives contribute to India's national biodiversity goals and commitments under global biodiversity conservation frameworks. 

About CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority)

• Statutory Basis: CAMPA functions under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016, enacted to manage funds collected for diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes. 
• Objective: To compensate for ecological losses arising from forest diversion and strengthen long-term conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of forests and wildlife resources.
• Administrative Ministry: It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) through National CAMPA and State CAMPA mechanisms. 
• Source of Funds: Funds are generated through Compensatory Afforestation charges, Net Present Value (NPV) payments, and other levies imposed on agencies diverting forest land. 
• Fund Distribution: Under the CAF framework, 90% of funds are transferred to State CAMPA accounts, while 10% are retained by National CAMPA. 
• Major Areas of Utilisation: Funds are used for compensatory afforestation, assisted natural regeneration, wildlife conservation, habitat improvement, forest fire prevention, catchment area treatment, and ecological restoration. 
  

SOURCES
PIB
The Hindu
National Campa