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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 23/4/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (23-04-2025).

📝 Mains Question (GS Paper 3 – Environment | GS Paper 2 – Governance)

“The failure of afforestation efforts in Assam despite high public spending exposes deep flaws in environmental governance.”
Critically analyze the reasons behind the declining forest cover in Assam despite afforestation programmes like CAMPA and APFBC. Suggest reforms to make afforestation ecologically and institutionally effective.

✅ Model Answer

🔹 Introduction

Assam has spent over ₹420 crore on afforestation projects under schemes like CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund) and the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC). Yet, between 2021 and 2023, Assam lost nearly 84 sq km of forest cover, indicating a gap between investment and impact.

🔹 Afforestation in Assam: Intent vs Outcome

Indicator	Status
Funds Spent	₹26,628 lakh (CAMPA); ₹156.71 crore (APFBC)
Area Covered	15,869 ha (CAMPA); 33,337 ha (APFBC)
Claimed Survival	65–75% (unverified, based on ocular estimation)
Actual Forest Cover	Declined by 83.92 sq km (ISFR 2023)
Global Watch	12% tree cover loss since 2001 (Global Forest Watch, 2023)

🔹 Reasons Behind Declining Forest Cover Despite Spending

A. Institutional Gaps

Ocular Estimation of Survival: No GPS tagging or remote verification; visual methods are unreliable
Poor Interdepartmental Coordination: Forest, revenue, and rural development departments often work in silos
Corruption and Misutilization: Lack of audits and performance-linked fund allocation
Neglect of Local Communities: Minimal participation from tribal/forest dwellers in planning and monitoring

B. Ecological Missteps

Wrong Species Selection: Fast-growing exotics over native, biodiversity-supporting trees
Climate Unsuitability: Planting done during unsuitable seasons; low soil-moisture compatibility
Fragmented Approach: Focus on area planted rather than canopy quality or biodiversity recovery

C. External Pressures

Encroachment: Urban expansion, settlements in forest fringes
Floods & Erosion: Brahmaputra dynamics make many plantations vulnerable
Illegal Logging & Poaching: Weak enforcement allows degradation of regenerating areas

🔹 Reforms and Way Forward

1. Scientific Monitoring & Evaluation

Use GIS mapping, drones, and satellite imagery to track plantation survival
Integrate CAMPA portals with public dashboards showing district-wise plantation health

2. Community-Based Forest Governance

Empower Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) with funds and legal status
Offer incentives to local communities for post-plantation care and protection

3. Ecological Afforestation Strategy

Prioritize native species and mixed biodiversity corridors, not just carbon sinks
Synchronize plantation cycles with monsoon and soil characteristics

4. Outcome-Based Budgeting

Link funding to verified canopy growth and wildlife return metrics, not just hectares covered
Include third-party ecological audits for transparency

5. Institutional Realignment

Establish a State Forest Restoration Authority under Assam SAPCC
Combine forest conservation with rural livelihood schemes (e.g., MGNREGA+Forest Works Model)

🔹 Conclusion

Afforestation is not merely about planting trees—it is about reviving ecosystems, empowering communities, and sustaining governance credibility. For Assam, reversing forest loss will require not just funds, but a science-driven, participatory, and accountable afforestation regime. Without that, the state risks turning its green budget into a green illusion.

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