Massive poppy cultivation leading to deforestation in remote hill areas of Manipur is causing heavy mudslides and landslides in the region, state BJP president A Sharda Devi said in Imphal on Sunday.
Sharda was addressing the “8 Saal Seva Sushasan Aur Gareeb Kalyan Sampark Se Samarthan”. It was organised by the BJP Imphal West district at Langthabal Phura Makhong, Imphal West on Sunday.
Sharda said the chief minister’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign has been helping to save the environment. The campaign has led to the destruction of several poppy fields in the state.
The BJP president said that some "non-locals" are cultivating poppy plants by deforestation in the most remote areas of hill districts adjacent to Myanmar.
As an impact of deforestation in large areas of hill tracts, mudslides occurred at Kangpokpi district recently, Sharda said, adding that it occurred in the past as well.
With the observation of “World Environment Day” and by supporting “War on Drugs”, people can save the environment by avoiding deforestation in the hill districts of Manipur, she added.
She further said with the coming of the present Narendra Modi-led government since 2014, people are enjoying various centrally-sponsored schemes and welfare developments across the nation, including Manipur.
The welfare schemes and developmental works carried under the Modi-led government are taken with a future vision and people should cooperate with the government, she added.
Meanwhile, as a part of the “World Environment Day” observation, Sharda along with members of state Legislative Assembly S Ranjan; S Rajen; S Kunjakeswor alias Keba and Karan Shyam conducted a tree plantation drive at Lanthabal Phura Makhong, Imphal West.
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