Manipur identifies 307 hectares of poppy cultivation in forest areas

The Manipur Forest Department has identified 307 hectares of forest land under poppy cultivation in Churachandpur, Senapati and Chandel districts, with bamboo plantations established across 255 hectares as part of efforts to restore degraded forest areas, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Anurag Bajpai said on October 9.

Addressing a press conference at the Forest Department headquarters, Bajpai said surveys to identify illegal poppy cultivation were continuing and more affected areas could be detected.

He described poppy cultivation as a serious threat to both forests and society, saying the department had been surveying forest areas since 2018 to identify and address the problem.

The department has planted bamboo on 255 hectares of the identified land as part of its forest rejuvenation efforts. Bajpai said bamboo could help restore the environment while creating livelihood opportunities for local communities.

He added that the department was researching plant species that could inhibit the spread of poppy, whose seeds can germinate quickly and spread easily.

The department is also engaging village chiefs to discourage poppy cultivation and providing alternative livelihood opportunities to people involved in the practice, he said.

Bajpai said poppy plants generally flower in October, prompting the department to remain alert and coordinate with central forces for their destruction.

Forest department steps up dry-season preparedness

Bajpai said around 78 per cent of Manipur's geographical area was classified as forest land, while forest cover accounted for about 74 per cent. With the dry season beginning in October, the department has stepped up preparations to address forest fires, illegal poppy cultivation, smuggling of forest produce, illegal wildlife trade and unauthorised tree felling.

He said the department had issued a standard operating procedure for preventing forest fires and would work with local communities and volunteers to respond to incidents.

Forest product seizure revenue rises to Rs 47 crore

On the smuggling of forest products along the Indo-Myanmar border, Bajpai said Myanmar teak, areca nuts and timber were among the items being smuggled into the state.

The department is coordinating with intelligence agencies and security forces to curb the trade, while forest personnel are conducting foot patrols in vulnerable areas.

He said the department had also been collecting increasing revenue from seized forest products over the past three financial years. Revenue stood at Rs 30 crore in 2023-24, rose to Rs 38 crore in 2024-25, and reached Rs 47 crore in 2025-26, according to Bajpai.

He said that, under a Supreme Court order, seized forest products must be handed over to the Forest Department in accordance with the prescribed standard operating procedure. The department then auctions the material and collects the proceeds as revenue.

12 forest staff suspended over alleged tree felling

Bajpai said illegal tree felling, killing of wildlife and unauthorised earth cutting were serious offences and warned that those involved would face action.

He also confirmed that 12 staff members of the Thoubal Forest Division had been suspended in connection with an alleged tree-felling incident. An inquiry is underway, and its findings are awaited.

The department's measures come amid continuing efforts to curb illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur's hill districts while restoring affected forest areas and developing alternative sources of livelihood for local communities.