Bhubaneswar: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) participated in the launch of the Odisha Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF)’s Mission Zero Cannabis Cultivation in Kandhamala and Boudh, the two districts accounting for the majority of illicit cannabis cultivation in the state, an official said on Sunday.
“In line with the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29), the mission aims to eliminate 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 in Kandhamala district,” the NCB said.
Reinforcing the vision of a drug-free India, around 500 people, including panchayat members, took the ‘Nasha Mukt’ pledge at Sudrukumpa, while 500 college students participated in a mini-marathon in Phulbani, the agency added.
Earlier, in a similar operation in Rajasthan, teams from NCB Jodhpur, ANTF Rajasthan and the Rajasthan Police uncovered large-scale illicit cannabis cultivation in Nayawas village in Kotra tehsil of Udaipur district during 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 an estimated market value of nearly Rs 11.76 crore.
NCB Jodhpur has registered a case in connection with the operation, and further investigation is underway.
The intensified vigilance comes amid ongoing efforts to eradicate the illegal cultivation of narcotic crops in the state.
The action is in line 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, preventive measures and coordinated efforts involving central and state agencies, district administrations and local communities.
According to an NCB statement, Rajasthan has intensified its crackdown on the illicit cultivation of narcotic crops by strengthening surveillance, imposing stricter reporting responsibilities on revenue officials and stepping up enforcement operations across vulnerable regions.
As part of the new directives, patwaris have been instructed to regularly inspect their respective jurisdictions during girdawari and promptly report any suspected cultivation of narcotic crops to the concerned girdawar and tehsildar.
