Manipur: 877 sq km lost to poppy cultivation, 291 evictions since BJP came to power, says N Biren Singh

Manipur's Chief Minister, N Biren Singh on May 4 raised concerns over the declining forest cover in the state. In a post on the microblogging site X, Singh stated the critical need for collective action to address this pressing issue.

According to the data shared, Manipur's forest cover stood at 17,475 square kilometers in 1987. However, by 2021, this figure had dwindled to a mere 16,598 square kilometers, marking a distressing loss of 877 square kilometers. The chief minister pointed out that much of this deforestation was attributed to the cultivation of poppy, emphasizing the pressing need to address this issue promptly.

Furthermore, Singh threw light on the government's proactive stance in addressing environmental concerns. Since the ascent of the BJP Government in Manipur, a total of 291 encroachments have been evicted across the state. These evictions, conducted in both Reserve Forests and Protected Forests, were not aimed at any particular community but aimed at preserving the state's precious natural resources.