Forest cover dip in state exposes alarming trends
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 22 2024: The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 reveals a concerning decline in Manipur's forest health, presenting a stark contrast to the national trend of increasing green cover.

While India r ecorded a rise in total forest and tree cover by 1,445.81 sq km since the 2021 assessment, Manipur's forests have seen a significant reduction, underlining persistent environmental challenges in the region.

Over the past decade, the state has lost 375.70 sq km of its forest cover, shrinking from 16,961.16 sq km in 2013 to 16,585.46 sq km in 2023.Comparing to the last survey in 2021 (ISFR 2021), the state has seen a net reduction of 54.83 sq km .

The loss extends across various forest categories, with reductions in moderately dense forests (31.50 sq km), open forests (15.62 sq km), and scrublands (39.21 sq km), which serve as vital buffer zones.

These declines have impacted biodiversity and ecosystem stability, especially in hill districts such as Churachandpur, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Pherzawl and Tamenglong, which host some of the state's largest forested areas but face increasing pressures from deforestation, shifting cultivation, and urbanisation.

Adding to the challenges is the steep decline in bamboo-bearing areas.

Manipur has lost 860 sq km of bamboo cover since the last assessment in 2021, marking one of the highest reductions in the country alongside Karnataka.

This contrasts sharply with states like Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which recorded significant gains.

Bamboo, a critical resource for both ecological balance and local livelihoods, is becoming increasingly scarce in Manipur, raising concerns about sustainability.

Forest fires remain a pressing issue in the state, exacerbating the state's environmental woes.

In 2023-24, the state recorded 4,498 fire incidents, a reduction from 10,127 in the previous year, but the frequency remains alarmingly high.

Over 54 per cent of the state's forests fall into highly or very highly fire-prone categories, leaving vast tracts vulnerable to recurrent damage.

Protected areas like the Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary have not been spared, with 52 fire detections reported in the sanctuary alone.

Hill districts such as Churachandpur, Kamjong, and Ukhrul remain hotspots for forest fires, which not only destroy vegetation but also disrupt habitats and biodiversity.

One concerning aspect is the potential link between forest fires and illegal poppy plantations in the state, according to an environmentalist.

There is growing evidence that such plantations, which are often located deep within forested areas, may be contributing to the rise in fire incidents.

This is evident from the forest fire mapping shown in the ISFR 2023 as most of the forest fire are concentrated in poppy cultivation areas.

Farmers engaged in illegal poppy cultivation reportedly use fire as a tool to clear land.

This illegal activity not only devastates the state's green cover but also hinders conservation efforts and exacerbates ecological degradation, the environmentalist told The People's Chronicle while expressing concern over the high fire incidents reported in the state.

The situation is further compounded by the spread of invasive plant species such as Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha, which have occupied 793.04 sq km and 746.39 sq km of forest area, respectively.

These fast-growing plants out-compete native flora, altering forest ecosystems and threatening biodiversity.

Shifting cultivation practices and urbanisation also continue to encroach upon forested areas, accelerating deforestation and undermining the state's ecological balance.

The loss of forest cover has reduced the state's carbon sequestration capacity, worsening the impacts of climate change and posing a significant threat to local communities that rely on forests for their livelihoods and ecosystem services.

The northeastern region of India, comprising eight states including Assam, experienced significant forest loss, collectively shedding 327.3 sq km of forest cover.

Mizoram recorded the steepest decline, losing 178.42 sq km.

Amid these losses, Arunachal Pradesh remains a leader in carbon stock, with an impressive 1,021 million tonnes, securing its position as the top contributor in India.

Assam follows with 272 million tonnes, while Manipur accounts for 175 million tonnes.

Other states in the region include Meghalaya (183 million tonnes), Mizoram (168 million tonnes), Nagaland (132 million tonnes), Sikkim (56 million tonnes), and Tripura (74 million tonnes), collectively underscoring the region's critical role in carbon sequestration.

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