There is huge junk of deforestation due to poppy cultivation. The area has spread to such an extent that it will be impossible for manpower to destroy the area of poppy cultivation in Ukhrul District: Ukhrul DFO Shanngam Shaliwo
“Consumption knowingly or unknowingly through smell/odor can affect the poppy cultivator while harvesting. Use of fertilizers, weed killers, pesticide pose a serious health concern. Moreover, no one uses safety precautions like gloves, mask and other safety gears while spraying fertilizers, weed killers and insecticide,” says Ukhrul CMO Dr Kapangring A Shimray
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
District Administration of Ukhrul on Monday organised Consultative workshop on alternative livelihood for people in poppy cultivated areas of Ukhrul District towards a drug free and sustainable society for all at DRDA Training Hall, Mini Secretariat Complex, Ukhrul.
The programne was attended by Commissioner (Science and Technology) Government of Manipur, Devesh Deval, DC of Ukhrul, Krishna Kumar, SP of Ukhrul, Saujanya Singh, ADC of Ukhrul, Chunglenmang Kipgen, Addl. Secretary (Textile, Commerce and Industry), Luckyson Kashung, Deputy Secretary, (RD & PR) Lalrobul Fimate, Deputy Secretary (TCI, Home), Peter Salam, SDO of Jessami, Kachamthai F Gangmei, SDO of Ukhrul, M. Suranjoy Singh, DLOs, VP of TNL, Tuisem Kamkara, President of TNWL, SA. Ramnganing, President of TSL, Thingreiphy Lungharwoshi, President of TKS, Shimri Raising, President of TMNL, Somatai Machinao, President of Kuki Inpi (Ukhrul), KSO (Ukhrul) and leaders and elders from various villages from Ukhrul District.
Devash Deval shared his observations about the need to join hands together to bring about attitudinal change. The need for synergized approach to combating drug menace was emphasized, and that the citizens be made more aware about the varied opportunities in tourism, agriculture, horticulture and
forestry sectors.
Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, Krishna Kumar in his welcome and keynote address stated that ” let us have a fruitful discussion for a positive outcome and pave ways for a better future and development of Ukhrul District. Let us all joint our hands for a sustainable society for all.”
“Remedies also need to be discussed as a way out from all this ills that have plagued our society because of illegal plantation of poppy in Ukhrul District. Today we have subject expert in our midst along with leaders of Tangkhul CSOs, Kuki CSOs and elders of different villages from Ukhrul District” added Krishna Kumar.
For rehabilitation and way forward as an alternative livelihood, various schemes and programmes under different departments was highlighted by heads of concerned department.
SP of Ukhrul Saujanya Singh deliberated on legal perspective of poppy cultivation. He informed that “approximately 500% increase in numbers of villages in Ukhrul District with poppy cultivation in the last 5 years and 600% increase in area under poppy cultivation in the last 5 years.” He stated that “NDPS Act, 1985 prohibits a person the production, manufacturing, cultivation, possession, sale, purchasing, transport, storage and/or consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.”
“There are various section where we can prosecute poppy cultivators but we want to solve the prevailing issues with understanding and joint efforts” added Saujanya Singh.
SP of NAB, K. Meghachandra informed that a total of 6742.8 acres of area are poppy cultivated areas in Manipur. The figure as in District wise are given below:
Kangpokpi 2230 acres
Ukhrul 2040 acres
Senapati 305 acres
Chandel 905 acres
Kamjong 239.8 acres
Tengnoupal 526 acres, Churachandpur 391 acres
Bishnupur 130 acres
Imphal East with 292 acres
K. Meghachandra thoroughly explained the legalities of the NDPS Act and consequences to be faced by the cultivators according to the Act.
DFO of Ukhrul, Shanngam Shaliwo gave presentation on impact of poppy cultivation on environment. He stated that “forest, wildlife, environment, climate, etc, has no boundary and call for urgent need to curb the illegal activity of poppy cultivation in Ukhrul District. Soil erosion due to deforestation, frequent flash floods and rapid consumption of limited public funds are some of the impacts due to illegal poppy cultivation. In short, we are digging future generation grave. There is huge junk of deforestation due to poppy cultivation. The area has spread to such an extent that it will be impossible for manpower to destroy the area of poppy cultivation in Ukhrul District. Some viable alternatives can be arranged by Forest Department of Ukhrul in colloboration with other departments like cultivation of lemon grass oil, kiwi farm, fast growing timber plantation and others.”
CMO of Ukhrul, Dr Kapangring A Shimray elaborated on the medical impacts of poppy cultivation. He stated that “easy availability, accessibility and affordability of illicit drugs have increase the numbers of drug consumer in the society. There are 3700 active drug users and 420 OSD as per data of 2018-2020. A total of 32 person have died in 2022 due to overdose related issues. Consumption knowingly or unknowingly through smell/odor can affect the cultivator while harvesting. Use of fertilizers, weed killers, pesticide pose a serious health concern. Use of chemical fertilizers can infiltrate the soil and make its way to the groundwater and even surface water through runoff resulting to contamination of water and toxic to aquatic life. Moreover, no one uses safety precautions like gloves, mask and other safety gears while spraying fertilizers, weed killers and insecticide.”
He further continued that “drugs are use for palliative care as potent pain reliever in treating terminally ill patients. Before it is too late, let us all joint and eradicate poppy cultivation in Ukhrul District.”
Vice President of Tangkhul Naga Long, Tuisem Kamkara stated that “Poppy cultivation is like a slow poison, Tangkhul community will fully support the war on drugs initiated by CM N Biren Singh. This illegal plantation of poppy must be curbed or stopped immediately this year itself, to prevent future war among the families and community. He appeal the concerned enforcing authority to implement without bias and with sincerity.”
President of Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Thingreiphy Lungharwoshi informed that “poppy plantation is taking place in 79 villages of Tangkhul inhabited area, out of which 40 villages are intensively in this cultivation. There are 264 Tangkhul villages. 90% household in 7 villages are actively involved in poppy plantation, above 40% household in 33 villages are involved in poppy plantation, moderate below 30% household in 14 villages and initial 10% household in 25 villages are into poppy plantation. A total of 185 villages have prohibit poppy cultivation in their respective jurisdiction.”
President of Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, SA Ramnagning, President of TKS, Shimri Raising and President of Kuki Inpi (Ukhrul) all pledge to support the war on drugs and eradication of poppy cultivation in Ukhrul District.
Another notable highlights of the program was that “Pledge-cum-Signature Campaign Against Illegal Poppy Cultivation” was taken wherein all the participants signed on it and a “Walk Against Drugs” was taken out from Mini-Secretariat to ZEO Office, Ukhrul.