Nagaland yet to receive CAMPA funds; panel constituted

Nagaland remains the only state in the country yet to receive funds under the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), prompting the state government to initiate fresh deliberations and constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue.
Responding to media queries on the sidelines of a programme at Chümoukedima, minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CL John, said the matter was under active consideration. “We are putting this up to the government. It is under process and already being discussed,” he said.
Elaborating, principal secretary Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Y Kikheto Sema, informed that a high-level committee had been constituted to examine the issue in detail.
He explained that while landowners are compensated for land acquisition, agencies responsible for deforestation are mandated to pay for environmental damage, with such funds routed through CAMPA.
Kikheto disclosed that the Government of India had disbursed over Rs. 5,887 crore to 34 states so far, with Northeastern states collectively receiving more than Rs. 2,521 crore. However, Nagaland has not received any share.
He attributed the anomaly largely to the interpretation of Article 371(A), stating that while it provides constitutional safeguards, its misinterpretation has at times hindered access to developmental benefits. He also noted that certain Central Sector Scheme (CSS) funds linked to CAMPA have further compounded the state’s losses over the past five years.
Kikheto added that recent notifications had been issued and the committee would deliberate on the matter, while stressing the need to sensitise stakeholders on CAMPA provisions.
Meanwhile, responding to concerns over royalty collection at check gates, minister CL John clarified that the state levies taxes on forest produce entering Nagaland through designated entry and exit points.
He said goods transported from neighbouring states, including Manipur, are subject to royalty at notified check gates upon entry, adding that the checkpoints are officially authorised by the state government in coordination with the Home department.
Reiterating the government’s position, he said all check gates, including Mao, Namtse, Tizit, Nakachari, Bhandari and Tsulazou (Tulia), among others, operate with due approval and are located strictly at interstate entry and exit points.
Principal chief conservator of forests Vedpal Singh further clarified that taxation on forest produce is governed by respective state rules, noting that when timber from Nagaland enters Assam, the latter imposes its own taxes and transit permit (TP) rates, and vice versa.