Addressing these root causes of floods is essential to safeguarding the future of Manipur and restoring both environmental and social stability. The Hon’ble High Court has the opportunity to set a precedent for deep and lasting judicial intervention that addresses the core of the crisis.
By Dr Marc Nongmaithem
As Manipur faces yet another flood crisis, marked by inundated homes, collapsed infrastructure, and disrupted livelihoods, the state finds itself at the mercy of a deeper, systemic issue. While the Hon’ble Manipur High Court has rightly taken suo motu cognizance of the recent floods and landslides, it is imperative that the scope of the Court’s intervention expands to examine the underlying causes, most notably, widespread illegal poppy cultivation, unchecked deforestation, and the ongoing ethnic conflict that is intricately linked to both.
Poppy Cultivation and Its Environmental Toll
Illegal poppy farming in Manipur’s hill districts such as Churachandpur, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi has been steadily expanding, driving large-scale deforestation and land degradation. These activities have led to:
- Widespread clearing of forest cover, diminishing the land’s natural ability to absorb rainfall.
- Severe soil erosion, increasing sedimentation in rivers and reducing their capacity.
- Disruption of the water cycle, making regions prone to flash floods during monsoons and water scarcity during dry periods.
Such environmental changes are a primary factor in the recurring and worsening flood scenarios experienced in the state, including the devastating 2025 floods.
The Connection to the Ethnic Conflict
Beyond the environmental consequences, poppy cultivation is also deeply linked to the state’s unresolved ethnic conflict. Many of the areas under illegal cultivation are controlled by armed groups, and disputes over land, identity, and political representation have been intensified by the lucrative narcotics economy. The crisis that began in 2023 has displaced thousands, and many remain in relief camps. The link between narcotics-related territorial control and ethnic unrest is well documented but remains inadequately addressed by the state.
Governance Gaps and Alleged Complicity
The state’s response has been reactive and insufficient. Allegations of political complicity in the narcotics trade, selective enforcement of eradication drives, and poor forest governance have further eroded public trust. Despite over 15,000 acres of identified poppy fields and thousands of arrests since 2017, new cultivation zones continue to emerge, indicating systemic failure.
Why the High Court Must Intervene Further
Given the scale and interlinking nature of the issues such as, environmental, social, and administrative, it is critical that the judiciary steps in to address the root causes rather than just the symptoms. The existing PIL can be expanded to examine:
- Satellite and field data on forest loss and cultivation zones.
- Failures in enforcement by the forest and narcotics departments.
- Alleged political protection and corruption enabling illegal cultivation.
- The impact of these factors on displaced communities and flood risk.
A court-appointed expert committee could offer an independent and holistic evaluation, free from political influence.
Towards Restoration and Resilience
A future-proof strategy must include:
- Complete eradication of illegal poppy cultivation through impartial enforcement.
- Reforestation and soil conservation efforts to restore ecological balance.
- Transparent investigation into political and criminal networks involved in narcotics.
- Floodplain zoning and long-term infrastructure planning.
- Rehabilitation and justice for internally displaced persons.
Conclusion
Manipur’s flood crisis is not merely a natural disaster, it is the result of human-induced ecological collapse, governance failure, and the unchecked spread of the narcotics economy. Addressing these root causes is essential to safeguarding the future of Manipur and restoring both environmental and social stability. The Hon’ble High Court has the opportunity to set a precedent for deep and lasting judicial intervention that addresses the core of the crisis.