The damage caused by illegal poppy cultivation goes far beyond floods. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides pollutes soil and waterways, harming wildlife and local populations. The loss of biodiversity from forest clearing threatens Manipur’s unique ecosystems and reduces nature’s resilience to environmental stress.
By Dr Marc Nongmaithem
Manipur is grappling with severe flooding, as witnessed in the devastating 2025 monsoon season. While heavy rainfall is a natural phenomenon, the scale and intensity of the floods have been dramatically worsened by human-induced environmental damage. At the heart of this crisis lies illegal poppy cultivation in the hill districts of Manipur, an issue demanding urgent and decisive action. A surgical strike on these illegal poppy plantations is now essential to protect Manipur’s fragile ecosystem and reduce the risk of future floods.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF ILLEGAL POPPY CULTIVATION
Illegal poppy farming in areas such as Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, and Senapati has expanded unchecked. Between 2017 and 2023, poppy fields spread over 15,400 acres of once-dense forests. These plantations are created through slash-and-burn techniques that clear vast tracts of forest cover, a practice that has caused Manipur to lose nearly 14,000 hectares of natural forest in 2023 alone. This large-scale deforestation reduces the hills’ ability to absorb rainwater, leading to increased surface runoff.
Without the protective cover of trees, soil erosion accelerates dramatically. Over half of the catchment areas are now affected by moderate to severe erosion, causing rivers to clog with sediment. This sediment buildup lowers river capacity, making floods more frequent and severe, particularly in vulnerable zones like the Imphal Valley. The loss of forest cover also disrupts the natural water retention cycle of the hills, causing flash floods during heavy rains and water shortages during dry periods.
GOVERNANCE FAILURES AND POLITICAL COMPLICITY
The illegal poppy crisis is compounded by significant governance challenges. The current BJP-led government has struggled to curb poppy cultivation effectively. Allegations suggest that poppy fields enjoy protection from armed groups and political figures, undermining law enforcement efforts.
Although over 2,500 arrests related to poppy cultivation were made between 2017 and 2023, these actions have not stemmed the rise of new plantations.
Furthermore, enforcement has been inconsistent and often biased, targeting certain communities more than others. This selective crackdown has deepened ethnic tensions and weakened community trust in authorities. Regional instability caused by insurgent activities in some districts also hampers coordinated efforts to manage floods and environmental damage, though insurgency itself is not a direct cause of flooding.
WIDER ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
The damage caused by illegal poppy cultivation goes far beyond floods. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides pollutes soil and waterways, harming wildlife and local populations. The loss of biodiversity from forest clearing threatens Manipur’s unique ecosystems and reduces nature’s resilience to environmental stress. Moreover, locally produced narcotics contribute to addiction and social problems, especially among youth, compounding the suffering caused by flood disasters.
FLOODING AND INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE
The environmental destruction triggered by poppy cultivation directly translates into more frequent and severe floods. Rivers overflow more easily due to sediment buildup and faster runoff, causing breaches like those seen at Khurai Heikrumakhong during the 2025 floods. Infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and farmland , suffers repeated damage. Over 24,000 houses were affected by flooding in 2024, and poor urban drainage exacerbates waterlogging in Greater Imphal.
State authorities tend to react to flooding rather than proactively addressing its root causes. Despite existing legislation like the Model Flood Plain Zoning Bill of 1975, unchecked development in flood-prone areas continues, leaving Manipur highly vulnerable.
THE NEED FOR A SURGICAL STRIKE AND COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY
To safeguard Manipur’s environment and future, the eradication of illegal poppy cultivation must be prioritized as a critical flood mitigation measure besides other minor causes. What is needed is a ‘surgical strike’, a focused, sustained, and unbiased campaign to destroy poppy plantations and prevent their resurgence for good.
This involves:
● Using satellite technology and intelligence to identify and monitor cultivation sites.
● Coordinated law enforcement operations that apply equal pressure across all communities.
● Investigations by central agencies to uncover and dismantle political and criminal networks
protecting the narcotics trade.
● Investing heavily in reforestation, watershed management, and soil conservation to restore the
hills’ natural ability to retain water and prevent runoff.
● Empowering local indigenous organizations to lead monitoring and resistance efforts against illegal cultivation.
CONCLUSION
The current floods are a harsh reminder of the environmental destruction caused by illegal poppy plantations in Manipur’s hills. Deforestation, soil erosion, and chemical pollution have transformed a once resilient ecosystem into a disaster-prone region. Coupled with governance failures and alleged political complicity, these factors create a crisis that can no longer be ignored.
A surgical strike on illegal poppy cultivation is not only necessary but urgent. Only through firm and transparent action combined with ecological restoration and community involvement can Manipur hope to mitigate future flood risks and protect its people and environment for generations to come.