Over 291 Encroachers Evicted from Manipur Forests Since BJP's Rule: Chief Minister

Manipur CM N Biren Singh announced the eviction of 291 encroachers from state forests under BJP rule since 2017. Forest cover declined from 17,475 sq km in 1987 to 16,598 sq km in 2021, primarily due to poppy cultivation. Singh emphasized that evictions were non-discriminatory and affected all communities.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said 291 encroachers were evicted from the state's forests after the BJP came to power in 2017.

In a post on X, Singh said the state had a forest cover of 17,475 sq km in 1987 which decreased to 16,598 sq km in 2021.

He said 877 sq km of forest cover was destroyed, primarily for the cultivation of poppy.

''Evictions from the Reserve Forest & Protected Forest were carried out throughout the state. It was never targeted towards any particular community,'' he added.

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