Forest dept identified 307 hectares of poppy cultivation : PCCF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 09 2026: The Manipur Forest Department has identified 307 hectares of poppy cultivation in Senapati, Churachandpur and Chandel districts and is preparing to launch destruction operations as it intensifies its crackdown on illegal cultivation, forest destruction and unauthorised mining ahead of the dry season.

Addressing a press conference at the Forest Headquarters at Sanjenthong, Imphal, today, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Anurag Bajpai said the department is finalising a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent poppy cultivation in forest areas, warning that stringent action would be taken against anyone involved in illegal tree felling, mining or the exploitation of forest resources.

Forest dept identified 307 hectares of poppy cultivation : PCCF

He further said the latest survey had identified 307 hectares under poppy cultivation, with further surveys underway to identify additional areas.

The department resumed its survey in mid-September in anticipation of the poppy-growing season, which begins in the higher reaches in October before extending to middle and lower elevations in November and December, he said.

Saying that the latest survey began around 10 days ago, with drones being used for surveillance, he added that the department has been using drones for such operations since 2018 .

Bajpai said Churachandpur and Kangpokpi are among the districts that recorded the largest forest cover losses.

"We share the information with the police and also file FIRs and Forest Offence Reports.

We take on board the paramilitary forces and the Narcotics Department, and the destruction will take place in the coming days," Bajpai said.

He described poppy cultivation as a serious threat to both forest areas and society, stressing that repeated destruction alone might not provide a lasting solution, as poppy seeds can remain dormant in the soil and germinate in subsequent years.

The department is exploring scientific methods to prevent the plants from growing, including identifying alternative plant species that could grow faster and suppress poppy cultivation, the PCCF said.

Alongside enforcement measures, he said the department is focusing on providing alternative livelihood opportunities to villagers so as to discourage them from returning to poppy cultivation.

Bajpai said that several village chiefs have been counselled to abandon the illegal practice, while bamboo plantations are being raised in areas where poppy cultivation had been destroyed.

During 2024-25 and 2025-26, Bajpai said that the department brought around 255 hectares of land where poppy cultivation had been destroyed under bamboo plantations.

The Government is also exploring other livelihood opportunities to help affected communities move away from poppy cultivation, he said.

In a major disciplinary action, the PCCF said that the department has suspended all 12 frontline field staff posted at the Yairipok Beat Office in Thoubal district following reports of the felling of more than 100 pine trees during the last week of September.

Bajpai said the staff were suspended on September 26 and that an inquiry is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The inquiry report is expected within a few days, after which further action will be taken based on its findings, he said.

Issuing a stern warning, the PCCF said the department would not spare anyone involved in illegal tree felling, regardless of whether the person is a Government official or a member of the public.

Bajpai also warned against unauthorised mining and earth cutting, saying such activities could cause serious environmental damage and invite legal action. He said mining could not be undertaken without a proper mining plan and the necessary approvals from the competent authorities.

The department, he added, is committed to preventing the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.

Despite its extensive forest resources, Manipur recorded a loss of around 50 square kilometres of forest cover, according to the Forest Survey of India's assessment for 2023, published in 2024, he said.

The next assessment, covering 2025, is expected to provide an updated picture of the State's forest cover, he said .

He identified forest fires, shifting cultivation and development projects as major factors contributing to forest loss.

Manipur recorded around 6,000 forest-fire incidents in the previous year, he said, adding that road construction and other development projects could also lead to vegetation loss, soil erosion and landslides.

Around 600 hectares of forest land had reportedly been diverted for development projects in the previous year, he said and added that the department is undertaking plantations and compensatory afforestation to mitigate the damage.

With the dry season beginning in October, the department has stepped up preparations to tackle forest fires, illegal tree felling, wildlife trafficking and the cross-border smuggling of forest produce, he said.

Bajpai said that SOPs have been issued to Divisional Forest Officers, instructing them to strengthen community participation, establish village-level Forest Fire Prevention Committees and improve early-warning systems.

On smuggling, he identified timber from Myanmar, including teak, and areca nuts as major products illegally transported across the international border.

The department is coordinating with the Assam Rifles, police and intelligence agencies to identify vulnerable routes and prevent illegal transportation, he said.

Bajpai said the department's revenue has increased from around Rs 30 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 38 crore in 2024-25 and more than Rs 47 crore in 2025-26 .

He attributed the increase partly to intensified enforcement against smuggling and the seizure and auction of forest produce.