The Manipur government has issued strict directives to forest officials to prevent poppy cultivation in the state as the sowing season approaches.
In an order dated September 8, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Anurag Bajpai instructed all territorial divisional forest officers (DFOs) to maintain heightened vigilance from September to April, the period when poppy is typically sown. The directive came as part of the government’s intensified effort to curb illegal cultivation that threatens both the environment and public health.
The notification stated that DFOs must step up regular patrolling, deploy staff strategically, and make use of drone surveillance in coordination with local police. Any identified poppy fields are to be destroyed immediately, following standard operating procedures, with the support of district administration, police, the Narcotics and Affairs of Borders (NAB) unit, and paramilitary forces.
Officials stressed that poppy cultivation in forest areas is a clear violation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and the Indian Forest Act, 1927. The government underlined that the move was necessary to safeguard ecological balance and protect communities from the devastating impact of narcotics.