Haryana to Undertake Soil and Water Conservation Study in Yamunanagar, Ambala and Panchkula Districts
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Emphasising that effective forest conservation begins at the nursery level, the Haryana Government on Tuesday approved a series of supplementary and additional proposals under the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to strengthen plantations, secure wildlife habitats and enhance protection infrastructure across the State.
The approvals were accorded in today’s 9th meeting of the Steering Committee of Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority, Haryana, chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, in line with national guidelines governing the utilisation of Net Present Value (NPV) and interest funds. The meeting was attended by Sudhir Rajpal, ACS, Forests and Wildlife, Vineet Garg, IFS, PCCF (HoFF), Vivek Saxena, IFS, CWLW and Navdeep Singh, IFS, CEO, Haryana CAMPA.
Taking note of rising input costs and the State’s policy shift away from eucalyptus plantations, the Steering Committee approved the reallocation of funds for nursery operations and plantation activities. An amount of ₹1.65 crore earlier earmarked for raising clonal eucalyptus plants has been redirected to meet the higher cost of raising Melia dubia seedlings. The decision is expected to ensure healthier nursery stock and improved survival rates of plantations undertaken under compensatory afforestation programmes.
Approval was also granted for the reallocation of ₹1.48 crore under the NPV component for wildlife habitat improvement works during 2025–26. The decision followed a detailed proposal from the Wildlife Department and aims to prioritise ecological restoration and habitat management in protected areas.
Recognising the ecological sensitivity of the Shivalik region, the Committee sanctioned the purchase of three patrolling vehicles for the Kalka, Naraingarh and Chhachhrauli forest ranges at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh. The vehicles will strengthen field-level vigilance and help curb forest and wildlife offences in vulnerable stretches.
To support long-term ecological stability in the Shivaliks, the Steering Committee approved ₹35 lakh for a detailed feasibility study on soil and water conservation works in Yamunanagar, Ambala and Panchkula districts. The study will provide a catchment-wise and year-wise action plan, building upon earlier assessments and guiding future conservation investments.