Go Green Group HQ-Imphal

The recent bloom of water hyacinth in Lamphelpat may look beautiful with its purple shades, but it reflects a deeper environmental concern.

Beyond the scenic view, this is a reminder that our wetlands are under stress. Let’s not just romanticize the bloom, let’s understand the warning behind it and raise awareness to protect our water bodies.

Manipur’s green cover is quietly shrinking, and the question we must ask is: where have our forests gone?

According to recent satellite-based analysis, Manipur lost around 21,100 hectares of forest between 2021 and 2025, showing a sharp and concerning decline in just a few years. Long-term studies also point to a continuous pattern of forest cover loss across the state over the past two decades, driven by factors such as shifting cultivation, illegal logging, infrastructure expansion, and increasing land-use pressure.

This issue is not just environmental; it’s cultural. In Manipur, forests are deeply connected to indigenous identity, traditional ecological knowledge, water security, and community life. Losing forests means losing biodiversity, climate resilience, and part of our cultural foundation.

As climate change accelerates, this decline becomes even more urgent. Forests that once protected us are now under threat, and their loss directly affects our present and future.

It is time for collective action.

What do you think can be done to protect Manipur’s forests? Share your suggestions and thoughts in the comments—this conversation needs all of us.