Audit Reveals Misuse of Uttarakhand Forest Conservation Funds

Funds intended for afforestation were diverted to luxury purchases, renovations, and other unauthorized uses, according to a CAG report.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report uncovered that Rs 14 crore from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) were misused for buying iPhones, laptops, and office renovations.
CAMPA funds, meant for afforestation and forest land mitigation, were improperly allocated, with afforestation projects delayed by over eight years in some cases.
The report flagged violations of forest land transfer rules, with 52 cases of unauthorized use between 2014 and 2022, lacking required permissions from Divisional Forest Officers.
The survival rate of planted trees was only 33%, significantly below the mandated 60-65%, highlighting inefficiencies in reforestation efforts.
Uttarakhand's Forest Minister has ordered an investigation into the discrepancies, while opposition parties criticized the government for financial mismanagement.