Bhubaneswar, Oct 11 (IANS) The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) participated in the launch of Odisha Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF)’s Mission Zero Cannabis Cultivation in Kandhamal and Boudh, the two districts accounting for the majority of illicit cannabis cultivation in the state, an official said on Sunday.
“In line with Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29), the mission targets the elimination of illicit cannabis cultivation in both districts by March 2027,” the NCB said in a statement.
“On the occasion, around 30 acres of illicit cannabis cultivation were also destroyed in Kakendri village of Kandhamal,” the NCB said.
Reinforcing the vision of a Drug-Free India, 500 people, including Panchayat members, took the ‘Nasha Mukt’ pledge at Sudrukumpa, while 500 college students participated in a mini-marathon at Phulbani, the agency added.
Earlier, in a similar action in Rajasthan, teams from NCB Jodhpur, ANTF Rajasthan, and Rajasthan Police uncovered large-scale illicit cannabis cultivation in Nayawas village of Kotra tehsil in Udaipur district under a joint enforcement drive named ‘Operation Shankar’.
During the operation, authorities detected and destroyed around 7,577 cannabis plants spread across 9.4 bighas of land.
Officials estimated the potential yield at around 2,273 kg of ganja, with a market value of nearly Rs 11.76 crore.
NCB Jodhpur has registered a crime in connection with the case, and further investigation is underway.
The intensified vigilance comes amid ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal narcotic crop cultivation in the state.
The action aligns with the national Vision Document on Narcotics Control, which aims to eliminate illicit cannabis and poppy cultivation in identified areas by December 2027 through sustained enforcement, prevention measures, and coordinated efforts involving Central and state agencies, district administrations, and local communities.
An NCB statement said Rajasthan has stepped up its crackdown on the illicit cultivation of narcotic crops by strengthening surveillance, imposing stricter reporting responsibilities on revenue officials, and intensifying enforcement operations across vulnerable regions.
As part of the new directives, Patwaris have been instructed to regularly inspect their jurisdictions during girdawari and promptly report any suspected cultivation of narcotic crops to the concerned Girdawar and Tehsildar.
–IANS
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