Imphal: Villagers in Phunal Maring, a Naga settlement just 20 kilometers from Imphal near Waithou Hill, protect a lush forest through pure faith. While Manipur lost 16 percent of its tree cover between 2001 and 2025 due to logging, jhum farming, and poppy cultivation, this sacred patch remains wild. The area thrives because residents fear the wrath of the local deity, Phunal Ningthou Telheiba.
The rules are rigid. Cutting or damaging trees invites illness, death, or disaster, according to local tradition. Even wood from trees that fall naturally stays on the forest floor. Visitors see old-growth trees, diverse birds, and rare species, all untouched by machinery or modern conservation stunts. Faith serves as the barrier against destruction.
Ansong Menai has guarded the hilltop temple for over 20 years. He worries the old ways are fading as the village shifts toward Christianity. Though most residents converted, they still honor the forest's boundaries. Phunal Maring Chairman P Meba says his family converted 36 years ago but holds firm to the forest rules. "We never cut a single tree from the sacred site," Meba said.
Sanamahism followers remain a minority, yet the wider community maintains the sacred prohibition. Each year, the site hosts a grand feast that draws Meitei devotees from across the state. As Manipur faces hotter weather, flash floods, and droughts, this patch of preserved land holds new importance. Ansong now calls for wider efforts to protect the belief system that keeps the ecosystem alive.
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