IMPHAL, Dec 2: The Manipur government has successfully destroyed 19,135.60 acres of illegal poppy cultivation across at least 12 of the state’s 16 districts between 2017 and 2024, according to a report from the Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre. This effort was carried out using remote sensing and GIS technology, with data provided by the Narcotics and Affairs of Border wing of the state police.

Among the districts most affected by poppy cultivation, Kangpokpi recorded the highest destruction, with 4,454.4 acres eradicated, followed by Ukhrul with 3,348 acres and Churachandpur with 2,713.8 acres. Other districts included Tengnoupal (2,575 acres), Chandel (1,982.5 acres), and Senapati (1,682 acres). Smaller areas of destruction were recorded in Noney (12 acres) and Tamenglong (77 acres), while Imphal East and Bishnupur reported 737.9 acres and 395 acres, respectively.

The report also revealed trends in the area under opium cultivation, showing a significant decline over the years. In 2021-22, poppy cultivation covered 28,598.91 acres in nine districts, but this figure dropped to 11,288.1 acres by 2023-24. The overall reduction in poppy cultivation was 32.13% from 2022-23, with the previous year (2022-23) showing a 40.9% decrease compared to 2021-22.

The year 2020-2021 saw the highest destruction, with 4,652 acres eradicated, while 2023-2024 recorded the least destruction, with only 471 acres cleared. Despite this, the overall trend indicates a sharp reduction in illegal poppy cultivation in the state, reflecting the success of the government’s anti-drug efforts.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh reiterated the government’s firm commitment to eradicating illegal poppy cultivation in the northeastern state. He emphasized the importance of these efforts as part of a broader initiative to combat the drug trade and its negative impact on the state’s communities.