Srinagar, Aug. 8 -- The figures, shared in Parliament, reveal a steady flow of support: Rs.312.69 crore in 2022-23, Rs.370.55 crore in 2023-24, and Rs.180.18 crore this year under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

The purpose is clear: to restore forests, safeguard biodiversity, and offset the ecological cost of development. In a fragile Himalayan environment, such measures are survival strategies.

There are encouraging signs. Srinagar is now among just 25 cities in India to record a more than 40% drop in PM10 levels compared to 2017-18. Jammu, too, has seen cleaner air. These improvements under the National Clean Air Programme show what targeted funding can achieve when paired with local com...