High tree mortality rates in plantation drives: Can deforestation be prevented through CAMPA?

By Raj Kumar Sinha*

Our policies—especially those related to forests—are based on the assumption that we can regenerate natural resources after consumption. The Compensatory Afforestation Programme Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) reflects this idea. But can we truly restore lush green forests after clearing millions of acres? What has CAMPA actually achieved so far?

The CAMPA fund is intended to compensate for the loss of forest land and ecosystem services. It is used not only for compensatory afforestation but also for improving forest quality, conserving biodiversity, enhancing wildlife habitats, controlling forest fires, forest protection, and soil and water conservation. CAMPA activities are implemented by involving local communities in afforestation, nursery development, soil-water conservation, and forest protection activities.

During the financial year 2019–20, following the introduction of new CAMPA fund rules, a total of ₹47,860 crore was allocated to various states. Between 2019–20 and January 2023, Madhya Pradesh received ₹6,120 crore. It is claimed that over 217.8 million saplings have been planted in the state between 2019 and 2024–25. According to the forest department's new action plan, the target is to restore 5 million hectares of forest area over five years. However, tree mortality rates in plantation drives are often alarmingly high. In a rush to meet targets, the forest department frequently fails at restoration because trees are planted inappropriately, in unsuitable locations, and without the cooperation of local communities. Successful afforestation programs must include long-term maintenance plans by those who live and work nearby.

A report released on March 20, 2025, by the Forest Declaration Assessment—supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Climate and Land Use Alliance, and other partners—clearly highlights funding shortfalls. An estimated $460 billion per year is needed to stop deforestation, yet actual financial support falls drastically short. In 2023, private financial institutions invested $6.1 trillion in sectors linked to deforestation, while governments continued to provide $500 billion annually in subsidies that promote environmental degradation rather than conservation.

Forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods. In a biodiverse and ecologically rich country like India, forests and trees cover about 827,357 square kilometers—approximately 25.17% of India’s geographical area. Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest area among all states, at around 77,073 square kilometers. However, according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the state has lost about 612.41 square kilometers of forest and tree cover since 2019, when the area was 77,482 square kilometers.

Deforestation in Madhya Pradesh has become a major issue of national concern. Between 2014 and 2024, approximately 173,000 hectares of forest land across India were approved for non-forestry purposes, with Madhya Pradesh accounting for nearly 22% of that total. The state ranks first in the country for forest clearance approvals for development projects. During this period, the state lost 38,552 hectares of forest land to various public utility projects, according to Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav’s reply in Parliament.

International organizations like Global Forest Watch report that India lost 23,300 square kilometers of tree cover between 2001 and 2023. Alarmingly, 95% of deforestation from 2013 to 2023 occurred in natural forests. Natural forests are complex ecosystems resulting from the interactions among plants, animals, microorganisms, and non-living elements. In contrast, plantations, typically established for forestry or land improvement, usually consist of single-species trees and lack the diversity and complexity of natural forests.

Natural forests absorb 23% more carbon than artificial plantations. According to Eric Lambin from Stanford School of Earth, “If afforestation policies are poorly designed or implemented, there is a risk not just of wasting public funds, but also of increasing carbon emissions and losing biodiversity.” Planting saplings in exchange for felled trees in development projects is often promoted. However, to tackle complex environmental problems—particularly those arising from deforestation—it is vital to reconsider simplistic solutions like compensatory afforestation.

---

*Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Association

Comments

US-China truce temporary, larger trade war between two economies to continue

By Prabir Purkayastha The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan, South Korea on 30 October 2025 may have brought about a temporary relief in the US-China trade war. But unless we see the fine print of the agreement, it is difficult to assess whether this is a temporary truce or the beginning of a real rapprochement between the two nations. The jury is still out on that one and we will wait for a better understanding of what has really been achieved in Busan.

When growth shrinks people: Capitalism and the biological decline of the U.S. population

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak* Critically acclaimed Hungarian-American economic historian and distinguished scholar of economic anthropometric history, Prof. John Komlos (Professor Emeritus, University of Munich), who pioneered the study of the history of human height and weight, has published an article titled “The Decline in the Physical Stature of the U.S. Population Parallels the Diminution in the Rate of Increase in Life Expectancy” on October 31, 2025, in the forthcoming issue of Social Science & Medicine (SSM) – Population Health, Volume 32, December 2025. The findings of the article present a damning critique of the barbaric nature of capitalism and its detrimental impact on human health, highlighting that the average height of Americans began to decline during the era of free-market capitalism. The study draws on an analysis of 17 surveys from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (...

Justice for Zubeen Garg: Fans persist as investigations continue in India and Singapore

By Nava Thakuria* Even a month after the death of Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg in Singapore under mysterious circumstances, thousands of his fans and admirers across eastern India continue their campaign for “ JusticeForZubeenGarg .” A large digital campaign has gained momentum, with over two million social media users from around the world demanding legal action against those allegedly responsible. Although the Assam government has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has arrested seven people, and a judicial commission headed by Justice Soumitra Saikia of the Gauhati High Court to oversee the probe, public pressure for justice remains strong.

Mergers and privatisation: The Finance Minister’s misguided banking agenda

By Thomas Franco The Finance Minister has once again revived talk of merging two or three large public sector banks to make them globally competitive. Reports also suggest that the government is considering appointing Managing Directors in public sector banks from the private sector. Both moves would strike at the heart of India’s public banking system . Privatisation undermines the constitutional vision of social and economic justice, and such steps could lead to irreversible damage.

Gujarat civil society to move Supreme Court against controversial electoral roll revision

By Rajiv Shah A recent, well-attended meeting of Gujarat civil society activists in Ahmedabad , held to discuss the impact of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, has decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court against the controversial exercise initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) across the country. Announcing this, senior High Court advocate Anand Yagnik , who heads the Gujarat chapter of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), said that a committee has already been formed to examine the pros and cons of SIR. “While the SIR exercise began in Gujarat on November 4 and is scheduled to continue for a month, we will file a supporting petition in the case against SIR in the Gujarat High Court or the Supreme Court after observing how it proceeds in the state,” he said. Yagnik’s announcement followed senior advocate Shahrukh Alam —who is arguing the SIR case in the Supreme Court—urging Gujarat’s civil society to also file ...

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Why PESA, a Birsa Munda legacy, remains India’s unfulfilled commitment to its tribal peoples

By Raj Kumar Sinha* Nearly three decades ago, the Indian Parliament enacted a landmark law for tribal regions — the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, better known as PESA. This legislation sought to restore the traditional autonomy of tribal societies and empower them to use local resources according to their customs and needs. However, such decentralization never sat well with today’s developmental politicians, capitalists, and bureaucrats. The question therefore arises — what makes PESA so important?

Trump escalates threats of war against Venezuela, as millions in US set to lose essential benefits

By Manolo De Los Santos The United States government is in the grips of one of its longest-running funding gaps in history. The ongoing government shutdown has already stretched beyond 30 days and now, the food security of millions of Americans is at risk as the funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is drying up and Trump officials have refused to tap into contingency funds . Approximately 42 million individuals per month rely on SNAP benefits and are set to lose them beginning on November 1.

Is vaccine the Voldemort of modern medicine to be left undiscussed, unscrutinised?

By Deepika* Sridhar Vembu of Zoho stirred up an internet storm by tweeting about the possible link of autism to the growing number of vaccines given to children in India . He had only asked the parents to analyse the connection but doctors, so called public health experts vehemently started opposing Vembu's claims, labeling them "dangerous misinformation" that could erode “vaccine trust”!

Search This Blog