By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 25 Sep: The Uttarakhand Forest Department has so far managed to utilise just 29 per cent of its budget for the current financial year 2025-26, raising concerns over the slow pace of expenditure. Despite crores of rupees being allocated for various schemes, the department has failed to spend even a third of the funds in some areas, leaving large-scale projects related to forest conservation and development in jeopardy.
With six months of the financial year nearly over, the department’s sluggish spending has drawn some concern. Data shows that although a total of Rs 1,193 crores was sanctioned for state sector schemes, centrally sponsored programmes, and externally aided projects, only an approximate total amount of Rs 344 crores has been spent to date. The government had released Rs 801 crore for these schemes.
The largest share of the budget related to the Forest Department is under the Uttarakhand Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Against a sanctioned amount of Rs 1,6,08 crores, the government had released Rs 1,071 crore so far, of which only approximately 23 per cent has been utilised so far.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF) Sameer Sinha has asserted that the expenditure figures are expected to improve rapidly from October onwards. He explained that the ongoing monsoon season had limited spending primarily to afforestation, while other repair, construction and developmental works could not be undertaken.
The CAMPA scheme, which provides the highest funding, also shows slow utilisation.
The data makes it evident that the Uttarakhand Forest Department is far behind in utilising its allocated budget. If the pace of expenditure does not accelerate in the coming months, not only will the remaining funds remain unspent, but essential projects related to forest and environmental conservation may also face severe setbacks, necessitating urgent government intervention. It would also be pertinent to remind here that the Forest Department in the state often fails to fully or optimally utilise even the funds meant for firefighting each firing season, when a timely utilisation and action can save larger forest area from forest fires.
