Manipur Forest Officials Tackle Surge in Chandel Fire Incidents

Imphal: Chandel district recorded 413 forest fires in 2026. This massive spike forced the Forest Department to launch emergency mock drills to curb the destruction. The Office of the Divisional Forest Officer conducted the first drill on November 7 near Chandelpokpi and Monshang Pantha villages. They worked alongside the Manipur Fire Service Department to teach safety measures.

Range Forest Officer N. Deepa and Fire Service Officer Kamei Dany Rongmei led the exercise. Students, village chiefs, and locals joined department staff to observe the training. The area is bleeding green. Data from the Forest Survey of India shows 230 square kilometers of forest vanished between 2010 and 2025.

DFO Dr. N. Munal Meitei warned that fires are gutting medicinal plants and wildlife habitats. He blamed the crisis on uncontrolled burning, agricultural field clearing, and poppy cultivation. "He identified uncontrolled burning, the burning of agricultural fields and activities related to poppy cultivation as major causes of forest fires, and stressed the need for collective efforts to prevent such incidents."

The department plans to repeat these drills in the Chakpikarong and Khengjoi subdivisions. Meitei urged civil society groups, students, and Meira Paibis to join the fight to save the remaining woods.