Imphal: Manipur forest authorities are launching a massive campaign to purge the state of illegal activity. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Anurag Bajpai confirmed on October 9 that drones have identified 307 hectares of poppy cultivation across the Senapati, Churachandpur, and Chandel districts. Teams are now preparing to destroy these crops as the dry season begins.
Poppy seeds hide in soil and return every year. The department is trying new scientific methods to stop the plant from taking root. They have also turned 255 hectares of cleared land into bamboo plantations to provide better livelihoods for villagers. Officials are counselling village chiefs to abandon the trade entirely.
Discipline arrived quickly for internal failures. Twelve staff members at the Yairipok Beat Office in Thoubal were suspended on September 26. They face an active inquiry regarding the felling of over 100 pine trees. Bajpai made the stakes clear to his staff and the public. "Nobody will be spared. Whether it is a government official or a member of the public, if there is illegal felling, stringent action will be taken," he said.
The state lost 50 square kilometres of forest cover in 2023, largely due to 6,000 forest fires and development projects. Roughly 600 hectares of forest land were diverted for construction last year. While the state retains about 74 per cent forest cover, districts like Churachandpur and Kangpokpi suffered the most damage.
Revenue from seized forest produce, such as teak and areca nuts smuggled from Myanmar, climbed to over 47 crore rupees for 2025-26. The department is now using daily foot patrols, geotagged evidence, and an SMS alert system connecting 9,500 people to guard the borders. They are also investigating reports of impostors collecting money in the name of the Forest Minister, with an FIR already filed.
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