Former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh has said that a recent aerial survey has revealed nearly 700 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Kangpokpi district. Singh shared the information on Wednesday, calling the findings a serious concern for Manipur’s forests and cultural heritage.
According to Singh, the survey showed large stretches of hill areas being used for poppy plantations. He said this confirmed what the government had been warning about during his tenure. Singh added that the destruction of forest land continues to pose a major threat to the state’s natural environment and traditional way of life.
In a post on X, Singh wrote that many people did not believe the government earlier when it cautioned that the “deadly drug corridor,” known as the Golden Triangle, was slowly expanding toward India through Manipur. He said that even when the government reported that forest areas were being cleared for large-scale poppy cultivation, the warnings were often ignored. 
Singh stressed the need for stronger and more focused action to control the situation. He said that if the illegal cultivation continues, it could lead to even greater damage to the forest cover and create long-term problems for the state.
He urged authorities and local communities to work together and ensure that the illegal cultivation is stopped. Singh said that the issue is not only about law and order but also about saving Manipur’s natural resources, culture, and future generations.
