Consider the following statements:

1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels.

2. People’s participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: The correct option is 1 only.

Detailed Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016 led to the creation of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Under this law, the authority exists at both the National level (National CAMPA) and the State level (State CAMPA) to manage and utilize funds collected for non-forestry use of forest land.

Statement 2 is incorrect:

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 does not make people's participation mandatory in compensatory afforestation programmes. One of the main criticisms of the Act has been the lack of mandatory provisions for involving local communities, Gram Sabhas, or indigenous peoples in the decision-making or execution of compensatory afforestation projects.

Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct.