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?

The correct answer is option A (Statement 1 only is correct).

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 establishes a National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority at the national level, and a State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority in each State and Union territory[1]. This confirms that Statement 1 is correct—the law does provide for CAMPA authorities at both National and State levels.

However, Statement 2 is incorrect. While the funds are primarily spent on afforestation to compensate for loss of forest cover, regeneration of forest ecosystem, wildlife protection and infrastructure development[2], there is no provision in the documents that makes people's participation mandatory in compensatory afforestation programmes under the Act. The Act focuses on fund management and utilization by designated authorities rather than mandating community participation.

Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct, making option A the right answer.

1. [1] https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/2151/1/A2016-38.pdf
2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 10: Indian Forest > Salient features > p. 168