Poppy plantation area highest in Kangpokpi district
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 16 2024: Over 45 square kilometres (sq.

km.) of forest land in Manipur has been impacted by poppy cultivation during 2023-24, with Kangpokpi district reporting the highest affected area at 17.49 sq.

km.

followed by Senapati, Ukhrul, and Churachandpur, informed Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Inner Manipur MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam raised a query seeking details on Manipur's reserved, protected, and unclassified forests, the district-wise extent of poppy cultivation, its impact on forest areas, and the measures undertaken by the government to combat poppy cultivation in the state's forests during Monday's session of the Parliament.

According to the information shared by the union minister, Manipur's forest area comprises 983.81 sq km of reserved forests, 3,300.31 sq km of protected forests, and 988.52 sq km of protected areas network, alongside 12,145.35 sq km of unclassified forests.

Collectively, the state has a total forest area of 17,418 sq km.

However, poppy cultivation has emerged as a significant threat, affecting 45.68 sq km of forest areas during 2023-24 .

This includes 3.47 sq km of reserved forests, 2.51 sq km of proposed reserved forests, 19.24 sq km of protected forests, 0.06 sq km of protected areas (wildlife), and 20.40 sq km of unclassified forests.

District-wise, Kangpokpi h as the highest area under poppy culti vation at 17.49 sq km, followed by Senapati with 9.44 sq km, Ukhrul with 6.47 sq km, and Churachandpur with 6.02 sq km.

Other districts like Kamjong (4.21 sq km), Chandel (0.91 sq km), Tengnoupal (0.50 sq km), Noney (0.47 sq km), and Tamenglong (0.17 sq km) also report areas of poppy cultivation.

The minister highlighted the efforts of the Manipur government, which include the destruction of 77.44 sq km of poppy plantations between 2017 and 2023 through joint operations involving police, forest officials, and paramilitary forces.

During this period, 2,943 arrests were made under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and 43 FIRs were registered against cultivators.

Additionally, 142 hectares of poppy-affected land have been rehabilitated with afforestation initiatives.

Awareness and sensitisation programmes are also being conducted to educate communities about the environmental, socio-economic, and legal consequences of poppy cultivation, the minister said in his report.

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