Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has strongly defended his administration’s efforts to destroy illegal poppy plantations, citing satellite imagery that confirms the state’s environmental claims. Singh stated on social media that the destruction of over 18,000 hectares of illegal poppy plantations between 2017 and 2025 demonstrates his government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and preventing deforestation.
The former CM’s statement comes as new satellite data from Suhora Technologies highlights the critical environmental challenges facing Northeast India. According to the data, Manipur has lost around 21,100 hectares of forest between 2021 and 2025, with only 13 hectares showing signs of regrowth. The research points to multiple factors driving forest loss, including unsustainable traditional shifting cultivation practices, illegal logging, fuelwood collection, and the spread of poppy cultivation in remote hill areas.
Infrastructure development projects have also contributed to deforestation and increased landslide risks in Manipur’s fragile mountainous terrain. Climate change has compounded these environmental pressures by altering rainfall patterns and increasing vulnerability to wildfires and pest infestations.
Meanwhile, satellite technology has proven crucial for monitoring environmental crises across the region. Recent analysis detected a significant forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh’s Nadipar region, highlighting the importance of satellite-based analytics for providing near-real-time insights that support rapid response to environmental crises.
Krishanu Acharya, CEO of Suhora Technologies, stressed the significance of satellite-based analytics in supporting sustainable land-use practices and community-based forest management, while acknowledging that recorded vegetation regrowth offers hope for recovery.
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