A study on the Mapping and Estimation of Opium Poppy Cultivation Area using Remote Sensing and GIS Technology found that during 2017, the Manipur government has eliminated 19,135.6 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in at least 12 districts. The largest area damaged during this time was 4,454.4 acres in Kangpokpi district, followed by 3,348 acres in Ukhrul and 2,713.8 acres in Churachandpur. The Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre, which is part of the Planning Department, carried out the experiment using information from the state police’s “Narcotics and Affairs of Border” wing.
According to the study, 2,575 acres of illegal poppy cultivation were eradicated in Tengnoupal, 1,982.5 acres in Chandel, and 1,682 acres in Senapati, among other districts. It revealed that in nine districts, the area used for poppy cultivation decreased from 28,598.91 acres in 2021–2022 to 11,288.1 acres in 2023–2024. According to the report, poppy cultivation fell by 32.13% between 2023 and 2024 as compared to 2022–2023. Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated last month that the state administration is steadfast in its determination to end illicit poppy production in the northeastern state in a post on X.
