Over 17 Sq Km under poppy plantation in Kpi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 16 2024: Of all the 16 districts of Manipur, the largest poppy plantation is done in Kangpokpi district while there is no report of any poppy plantation in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Pherzawl, Jiribam and Kakching.

According to a written reply given by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav to a starred question raised by Lok Sabha Member Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam today, 45.68 sq Kms are under poppy plantation across the State in 2023-24 with Kangpokpi district accounting for 17.49 sq Kms.

Senapati has the second largest area under poppy plantation at 9.44 sq Kms.

Other areas under poppy plantation include 6.46 sq Kms in Ukhrul, 6.02 Sq Kms in Churachandpur, 4.21 Sq Kms in Kamjong, 0.91 sq Kms in Chandel, 0.50 sq Kms in Tengnoupal, 0.47 sq Kms in Noney and 0.17 sq Kms in Tamenglong district.

These poppy plantations have affected 3.47 sq Kms of Reserved Forest.

2.51 Sq Kms of proposed Reserved Forest, 19.24 Sq Kms of Protected Forest, 0.06 sq Km of protected area (wildlife) and 20.40 sq Kms of unclassed forest.

Bhupender Yadav in his written reply said that Manipur's total forest cover is 17,418 sq Kms.

It includes 983.81 sq Kms of Reserved Forest, 3300.31 sq Kms of Protected Forest, 988.52 sq Kms of protected area network and 12,145.35 sq Kms of unclassed forest and proposed reserved forest.

Earlier, Dr Bimol Akoijam asked the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to present details of districtwise total areas of Reserved Forest, Protected Forest and unclassified forest in Manipur, total area covered by poppy plantation, total forest area affected by poppy plantation and the measures taken up by the Government to counter the menace of poppy plantation in forest areas in Manipur.

Bhupender Yadav said that the Government of Manipur has taken up several measures to counter the menace of poppy plantation in the forest areas of Manipur including destruction of 77.44 sq Kms of poppy cultivation and registration of 2351 cases by Manipur Police during 2017-2023 Moreover, 2943 persons were arrested under NDPS Act for various drug related cases including poppy.

Forest Department Manipur has registered 43 FIRs against poppy cultivators and an area of 142 hectares under poppy cultivation has also been rehabilitated by taking up afforestation.

Awareness cum sensitization programmes are also being conducted to educate people on adverse effects of poppy cultivation on environment, socio-economic condition of the people and legal implications, Bhupender Yadav said in his written reply.

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