Oil palm threat to state's fragile ecosystem, warns PFA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 29 2025: People for Animals Manipur (PFA) has warned that future generations would not forgive the present generation for persuing oil palm plantations in Manipur, a biodiversity hotspot and eco-sensitive zone.

In a statement, PFA managing trustee L Biswajeet Meitei highlighted that in 2019, the administration of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands had appealed to the Supreme Court to lift the prohibition on oil palm plantations imposed in 2002 due to their harmful environmental impact and potential to destroy forest areas.

In response, the Supreme Court stated that oil palm cultivation on the islands would lead to forest destruction and questioned why such plantations were not being pursued in mainland areas instead.

Oil palm threat to state's fragile ecosystem, warns PFA

"Similarly, it is worth questioning why oil palm plantations should be carried out in Manipur, a small state like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where the local ecosystem could also face severe damage," PFA said.

The statement further highlighted that such initiatives should not be implemented in any of the northeastern states, cautioning that the program could severely impact soil fertility in the region, create difficulties for farmers, and disrupt the surrounding ecosystem, ultimately bringing no benefit to the people of Manipur.

It also noted that countries like Malaysia and Indonesia have already begun the process of phasing out oil palm plantations.

PFA further stated that oil palm cultivation requires large amounts of water for four to five years until the flowers bloom, with a single plant consuming 250 to 300 liters of water per day.

Additionally, it depends on pesticides, insecticides, and fertilisers, which will ultimately determine its longterm viability.

Moreover, once oil palm trees are uprooted, the land will lose its fertility, making it impossible to grow other crops.

Given these factors, PFA urged farmers in the state to carefully reconsider before engaging in oil palm plantations.

PFA also pointed out that if the government is unable to curb the illegal cultivation of poppy in the state, it would be even more difficult to halt oil palm plantations - once introduced in forest areas - since they are legally permitted.

Considering these concerns, PFA urged all stakeholders to abandon plans for oil palm plantations in this ecologically fragile region.

It cited the failed Loktak Hydroelectric Project as an example, noting that the project was launched with promises of sufficient power and job creation but proceeded without an environmental impact assessment.

As a result, the state now relies on the national power grid for electricity, numerous paddy fields have been submerged, and the project has had a detrimental impact on the Sangai deer population, it added.