IFS L. Joykumar Singh, a 2004-batch Manipur cadre officer, took on illegal settlements, hunting and forest offences while building community support for wildlife conservation in Manipur.
Protecting a national park is difficult under ordinary circumstances. Doing it when insurgency is active, access is difficult and illegal structures have existed for more than a decade requires a different level of administrative resolve.
For IFS L. Joykumar Singh, who is currently posted as Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), T-1, with additional charge of CCF, Wildlife, the challenge came early in his career when he was posted as DCF (Park & Sanctuary) in Manipur.
In 2009, when he joined Keibul Lamjao National Park, he found dozens of huts inside the protected area. The park, spread across the floating phumdis of Loktak Lake, was also facing the difficult security situation created by insurgency.
The illegal huts were not simply encroachments. Some were associated with fishing activities, while some were reportedly used by insurgent groups.
Mr Singh decided that protecting the park would require restoring the authority of the law first.
Taking Action During Insurgency
At the time, several parts of Keibul Lamjao were difficult to access. The terrain itself presented a challenge, with the park located on floating vegetation over Loktak Lake.
When Mr Singh discussed the illegal huts with his forest staff and guards, he was advised against taking immediate action. Many of the occupants were believed to have links with insurgent groups, raising concerns about possible retaliation.
He took 23 days to think through the situation before deciding to proceed.
“Keibul Lamjao is the last natural heritage of Sangai in Manipur. If we want to love the Sangai and protect this place, we have to act,” Mr Singh shared in a conversation with Indian Masterminds.
Eviction notices were issued, and around 300 police personnel were arranged for the operation. Since the park could only be accessed by boat, the operation required careful coordination between the forest and police machinery.
The result was the removal of 76 illegal huts from the National Park.
For several weeks after the eviction, Mr Singh remained apprehensive about possible retaliation. Yet the action sent a clear message that illegal occupation of a protected area would not be allowed to continue.
The structures had reportedly been coming up for more than 10–15 years.
For Mr Singh, the objective was not to target any particular community or group but to protect the National Park.
Fighting Hunting Through Law and Community Support
Restoring law enforcement was only one part of the challenge. Hunting, illegal fishing and the removal of phumdi were also affecting the protected landscape.
Mr Singh realised that enforcement alone would not be enough. He began visiting villages around the National Park, staying with villagers and speaking to them about their concerns.
The communities had been using parts of the area for traditional fishing before it was notified as a National Park in 1977. The restrictions that came with the protected-area status had affected some of their livelihood practices, while several promises made at the time of notification had remained unfulfilled.
Mr Singh therefore worked on creating a relationship with the communities rather than relying only on enforcement.
One of his initiatives focused on children.
He mobilised around ₹10 lakh, which was deposited as a fixed deposit. The annual interest was used to recognise students from around 14–15 villages surrounding the park who performed well in Class 10.
Around 40–50 students were rewarded every year.
The initiative came to be known as the Sangai Students Merit Award.
“When their children receive recognition and rewards, the whole family becomes happy and supportive. That is how the Sangai Award started.”
He also helped establish village libraries, with books donated by his parents and other well-wishers.
The approach gradually began changing the relationship between the forest department and local communities.
From Protests to Public Support
The process was not always smooth. As enforcement against illegal collection of phumdi, unrestricted fishing and other activities increased, sections of the local population protested against the officer.
There were dharnas, complaints to local political representatives and attempts to mobilise public opinion against him.
Mr Singh, however, chose to engage directly with the protesters and explain why the restrictions were necessary.
The change in public perception became evident when he was transferred after around three years.
People who had once protested against his actions reportedly approached local newspapers and requested that his transfer be cancelled.
For Mr Singh, it demonstrated that conservation efforts could gain community acceptance when people understood the purpose behind them.
Turning Former Hunters Into Bird Protectors
Another major initiative emerged from the problem of waterbird hunting around Loktak Lake.
The lake attracts large numbers of migratory birds, but hunting was a serious concern.
Instead of limiting the response to arrests, IFS officer L Joykumar Singh decided to involve local youth, clubs, organisations and voluntary groups in monitoring bird populations.
He helped train them in bird-counting methods and explained the ecological importance of waterbirds.
The first Loktak Lake Waterbird Census was conducted in 2012 and continued annually thereafter.
The initiative created a new group of local conservation volunteers. Some people who had previously participated in hunting eventually became involved in protecting the birds.
“The census is not just a count — it is also education for the villagers. Some former hunters became protectors. Now the villagers themselves protect the birds,” Mr Singh shared in a conversation with Indian Masterminds.
Strengthening Wildlife Protection Across Manipur
Mr Singh’s conservation work extended beyond Keibul Lamjao.
As DFO and later CCF (Wildlife), he continued to work on forest encroachments, wildlife and forest offence cases and institutional measures for conservation.
He was involved in drafting the Manipur Wildlife (Protection) Rules, 2025, and played a role in establishing community reserves, bird sanctuaries and wildlife sanctuaries across the state.
He also facilitated the acquisition of land for the Sangai Conservation Breeding Centre and was involved in efforts that helped secure legal protection for the Tokay Gecko.
These efforts reflect a broader approach to wildlife administration — combining field enforcement, legal action, habitat protection, scientific monitoring and community participation.
Enforcement Must Go With Livelihood Solutions
For Manipur’s forests and wildlife to remain protected over the long term, Mr Singh believes conservation cannot be separated from the needs of people living around protected areas.
Education, enforcement and livelihood support have to work together.
“Enforcement is essential. Education is essential. And we must also address the genuine livelihood needs of the people living around the park.”
His experience at Keibul Lamjao illustrates the complexity of wildlife conservation in regions where forests and wetlands are closely connected with local livelihoods.
For IFS L Joykumar Singh, however, the role of a forest officer cannot end with identifying violations.
When illegal activities threaten protected areas, action becomes necessary.
As he puts it:
“I cannot remain silent when I see people violating forest and wildlife laws. I cannot just watch and keep quiet. I have to act.”
From removing 76 illegal huts during a difficult security period to reducing hunting, initiating the Loktak Lake Waterbird Census and building community participation around conservation, IFS L. Joykumar Singh’s work in Manipur has combined law enforcement with sustained engagement with local communities.
His experience shows that protecting the Sangai and Manipur’s unique biodiversity requires both firm enforcement and an understanding of the people who live alongside these protected landscapes.
