Kangpokpi Forests Division reportedly carried out destruction of illegal poppy cultivation in the hill ranges of Tolthang, near M Ngamneh, Saikul subdivision on Friday destroying a total of 2.5 acres of illegal poppy cultivation.
The team, led by Nitesh Khullem, Forester, Saikul Range of Kangpokpi Division, included a total of 15 Forests personnel in the poppy destruction drive.
According to the Divisional Forest Officer, Kangpokpi Forests Division, N Ganesh, the Division acted swiftly on a clip that was circulated in social media regarding an unidentified area under illegal poppy cultivation, by launching an investigation. Once the site was located, the destruction drive was planned and the concerned DC was requested to depute a Magistrate to oversee the destruction process. Thereafter, the destruction was carried out as per law and under the supervision of the deputed Magistrate.
FIR and PORs will be filed against the poppy cultivators, he added.
He continued that as a part of the government’s effort in the “War on Drugs”, the Division has been carrying out destruction of illegal poppy cultivation from the month of November till date and so far, the destruction drive has been carried out at 36 (thirty-six) sites at different hill ranges under the Division.
He also pointed out that a total of 350.75 hectare of area under illegal poppy cultivation, including 62 hectare inside Reserve Forest, 206.3 hectare inside Protected Forest, and 81.43 hectare under Unclassed Forest has been cleared till date.
As per Indian Forests Act, 1927 read with Manipur Forests Rules, 2021, breaking up of land for any non-forestry purposes are illegal act and as such, any person found to have committed such illegal activities is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine, or with both, in addition to such compensation for damage done to the forest as the convicting Court may direct to pay, the DFO asserted.
He further reiterated that illegal poppy cultivation is a serious threat not only to society but also to the environment with uncontrolled deforestation and the use of liberal chemical fertilizers in the upland slopes impacting the environment as well as posing health hazards to those living in the surrounding villages.
He also said that under the leadership and guidance of the Chief Minister and Forest Minister, such an achievement is made possible while adding that with such continued support the State can be made free of the menace to society.
