Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed grave concerns regarding significant deforestation occurring in the hill ranges of Kangpokpi district, urging immediate action to prevent a serious environmental crisis. He shared a video on social media, asserting it illustrates illegal poppy cultivation and extensive tree loss in the Kolten and Selsi hill ranges under the T. Waichong Sub-division, which he links to the recurrent flooding experienced in the state. Singh stated, “This video recorded today shows why recurrent floods have taken place in the state,” highlighting the adverse effects of deforestation on the environment. He criticized local leadership for their silence on the destruction, lamenting, “All our forests have been destroyed while we are trying to pull each other down.”
Furthermore, Singh reprimanded officials for their failure to act against those responsible for the alleged environmental degradation, suggesting that armed militants may be involved in such illicit activities. He warned that without decisive measures, the state could face a severe existential threat. His remarks come amid ongoing ethnic tensions, displacement issues, and challenges in governance that the state is currently facing, underscoring the urgency for proactive interventions to address these interconnected crises.
