170 Hectares or poppy plantations destroyed in two days: PCCF
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 18 2023:
On the directive of the chief minister and as decided in a meeting chaired by Forest & Environment minister on January 15, the Forest Department launched special operations against illegal poppy cultivation in forest areas from January 16 .
In the first phase of the operation, a total area of 170 hectares (ha) of poppy plantation under Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Chandel forest divisions were destroyed; huts and articles used in cultivation of poppy such as fertilizers, salt packets, herbicides, etc., burnt on the first two days i.e., on January 16 and 17, while altogether five FIRs have been filed against village chiefs/ cultivators/unknown persons.
In a release, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force Dr Ak Joshi informed that on January 16, about 50 ha of illegal poppy cultivated in V Lhangnom, Thangjing hills under Churachandpur district were destroyed by teams comprising 190 personnel from Churachandpur Forest Division, Police, NAB, 1st IRB and 24 IRB and FIR case registered accordingly.
Similarly, 80 personnel of Kangpokpi Forest Division, Police, NAB and 1 MR destroyed 4.23 ha of illegal poppy cultivation at Harup Naga under Kangpokpi Forest Division; and 70 personnel from Kangpokpi Forest, Police, NAB and 1st MR destroyed 10.12 ha of poppy cultivation at Mongjang, Saikul and registered FIR cases.
Further, about 3 ha of poppy plantation were destroyed at Laison village, Tuikhong block under Unclassed Forest Of Chandel Forest Division.
On January 17, under Churachandpur district, about 55 hectares of illegal poppy found cultivated at Mongken, Thangjing Hills, Churachandpur Khoupum PF were destroyed by a joint team of 165 personnel from Churachandpur Forest Division, Police, NAB, 1st and 2nd IRB and registered FIR case.
Similarly, a joint team of Kangpokpi Forest Division, District Police Kangpokpi and Imphal East destroyed 3.5 ha and 17 ha of illegal poppy cultivation at T Khullen, Saikul Range and Lhangsom Village, Saikul respectively under Kangpokpi Forest Division.
FIR has been registered under NDPS Act.
Moreover, 80 personnel from Ukhrul Forest, police, and 6 MR destroyed 20 ha of poppy cultivation at Cham-phung Hill range under Un-classed Forest of Ukhrul Forest Division and a FIR case has been registered under NDPS Act, he added.
While maintaining that Forest Department will continue the intensive operations in the different forest divisions wherever poppy cultivation are detected by involving all concerned Departments, Joshi continued that FIR will be registered as per relevant Acts/Rules for taking up illegal poppy plantations in Forest areas against the individuals responsible.
Pointing out that poppy cultivation in forest areas violates provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, he said that the use of forest land for non-forest purpose violates the provision of Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, the Indian Forest Act 1972 and The Manipur Forest Rules 2021 .
Poppy plantations found inside notified forest area are clear violation of the Act/ Rules governing the forests, he explained.
While opium/poppy is a key source for many narcotics and psychotropic drugs and leads to substance abuse in the society, poppy cultivation is a serious threat to the forest, environment and surrounding areas.
The deforestation and degradation due to poppy cultivation on vast tract of forests has become one of the major causes for deforestation and degradation of forest in the state, Joshi noted, while urging to all local communities to refrain from indulging in poppy cultivation and join hands in the 'War on Drugs' campaign to eradicate poppy cultivation in the forest areas as well as protect the forests.