ENVIS Hub Manipur
Status of Environment and Related Issues

Air pollution in our state is both natural and human based. Manipur is least industrialized. A few small and village industries are struggling for survival. There is hardly, perhaps, any major threat of industrial pollution in the state. The main source of air pollution has been identified as auto exhaust emissions of the fast growing number of automobiles, dust-fall due to bad road management and other miscellaneous commercial earthmoving activities. The slash and burning of fresh forest during February- March every year for preparation of the field for agricultural crop under Jhum practices adds huge amount of fumes and particulates into the atmosphere.There is an increasing trend in vehicle number in Manipur. Two wheelers are by far dominant type in Manipur. Most of the vehicular population is found in urban areas. The number of two- wheelers registered as on 31-3-2013 is 67.88 % of the total population and personalised vehicles as on 31.3.2013 is 84.26% of the total population.  It is estimated that about 8000 – 9000 vehicles per year are increasing & therefore by 2030, the vehicular population of the State would be around 4- 5 lakhs. The level of growth in private modes of transport in comparison with public transport is a significant contributory factor for urban air pollution. Although two wheelers are generally more fuel efficient than passenger cars they typically emit more pollutants per kilometer thereby contributing more to the particulate carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxide emissions.

Vehicular emission :

There is sudden increase in the number of vehicles in the town area during the last one decade producing a lot of smoke. The use of a large number of second-hand vehicles as transport is another cause of concern. In addition to this, the ambient air is further polluted by the dust from the poorly maintained road and smoke emitted from the burning solid-waste here and there.

Table : Record on vehicular population in Manipur (2001-2010)

Table: Vehicular population at Districts of Manipur (as on 31.03.2013)

 - Not Available

Source : Directorate of Transport, Govt. Of Manipur

Ambient Air Quality Status of Manipur

The air quality in all the Valley Districts of Manipur is within the permissible limits. There are no major highly air polluting Industries in the area. The use of boilers and the existing brick kilns of seasonal operation produce emission of local influence only. The air quality in the Valley is not considered bad. However, there is urgent need for putting a check on the rising and indiscriminate establishment of small industrial units within thickly populated areas and also a check on the rising trend of use of second-hand vehicles in the state.

 Table1:Ambient Air Quality in the Valley Districts(1997) 

Source: Manipur Pollution Control Board

Table 2: Ambient Air Quality Report (August 2005)