Satellite reveals hidden environmental crisis in Manipur, Arunachal

India Today

05-06-2025

Satellites can reveal more about the planet than we can see from the surface.A new satellite based study from Suhora Technologies, a leading Indian Earth observation and analytics company, puts the spotlight on two urgent environmental crises in Northeast India: accelerating deforestation in Manipur and a recent forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh.Manipur, renowned for its lush forests and biodiversity, is under mounting threat from deforestation.advertisement
According to Global Forest Watch, the state lost approximately 17,800 hectares of natural forest in 2024 alone, releasing nearly 9.11 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.This continues a troubling trend of forest decline since 2001.Suhora's latest analysis, covering 2021 to 2025, reveals that Manipur lost around 21,100 hectares of forest during this period. While 13 hectares have shown signs of regrowth, the scale of loss remains alarming.The drivers of deforestation are complex. Traditional shifting cultivation, or jhum, has become unsustainable due to shortened fallow cycles, reducing the land's ability to recover. Illegal logging, fuelwood collection, and the spread of poppy cultivation further exacerbate forest loss, especially in remote hill areas.
Deforestation in Manipur. (Photo: Suhora)
advertisementInfrastructure projects like roads and railways, while improving connectivity, also contribute to deforestation and increase the risk of landslides in Manipur's fragile hills. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering rainfall patterns and increasing vulnerability to wildfires and pests.Arunachal Pradesh: Forest Fire BlazeOn April 24, 2025, a massive forest fire broke out in the Nadipar region near Dirang, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. Propelled by strong winds, the blaze quickly engulfed several acres, though, fortunately, there were no human casualties or property damage.Suhora's advanced machine learning algorithms, using daily PlanetScope satellite imagery, detected the fire's impact: 1.09 square kilometers of forest burned, with 0.03 square kilometers still active as of April 26.Such satellite intelligence is crucial, as many forest fires in remote regions escape timely detection, often leading to severe ecological damage.Krishanu Acharya, CEO of Suhora Technologies, emphasised that satellite-based analytics provide near-real-time insights, supporting rapid response and better management of environmental crises. 'While the deforestation figures are concerning, the recorded vegetation regrowth offers a pathway forward. There is an urgent need for sustainable land-use practices and community-based forest management,' he said.These findings point to the urgent need for policy action, sustainable management, and technological intervention to safeguard Northeast India's forests for future generations.Must Watch