Imphal: The Manipur Forest Department marked 95 years of operation this week. Officials gathered at the Forest Headquarters in Imphal to discuss the future of the state's woodlands. They want more community involvement. They want better technology. The event served as a kick-off for a five-year drive toward the department's centenary in 2031.
Staff reviewed the agency's history of managing wildlife and restoring local ecosystems. A presentation displayed new gear now in use, such as GPS, GIS, drones, and the AI-powered Forest Resource and Management System (FRAMS). These tools aim to improve surveillance and planning. Retired Indian Forest Service officers Bala Prasad, K. Thambou Singh, K. Jagdishwor Singh, and Th. Mohendro Pratap Singh shared stories from their decades on the job.
Anurag Bajpai, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, praised the crews working in rough field conditions. He warned that the department must fight forest fires, degradation, illegal poppy cultivation, and biodiversity loss. He insisted that tech must do more than look good on paper. Bajpai said, "Technology should not remain merely a symbol of modernisation but must translate into better conservation, greater transparency and more effective governance."
Bajpai challenged his younger officers to stop pushing paper and get into the field. He asked them to take ownership of the land. The department plans to prioritize ecosystem restoration and institutional capacity-building in the coming years. Officials believe enforcement is not enough to stop environmental damage. They argue that long-term success depends on building public trust and linking forest health to food and water security for the local people.
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