Bhubaneswar, Nov 25: A massive drive has been launched to destroy cannabis cultivation in Odisha, DGP Y B Khurania said on Monday.
“The special drive was launched on November 1 and it will continue till March 2025 to completely eliminate cannabis cultivation in Odisha by 2026,” the DGP said in a press conference.
The police have covered over 2,375 acres of land in different districts and more than 28 lakh cannabis/ganja plants have been destroyed during the first 24 days of this drive till Sunday, Khurania said.
“Odisha police is committed to eradicate this menace to save the future of youths,” he said.
New technologies are being used to destroy cannabis plants taking help of satellite and drone images to locate cultivation in hilly and dense forest areas.
Last year Odisha Police had destroyed cannabis cultivation in about 10,500 acres. We have set to target to ensure that this year we surpass the previous year's record, the DGP said.
Cannabis cultivation started by Maoists in Odisha forests to augment their financial strength and this illegal cultivation is rampant in Kandhamal, Boudh, Gajapati, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput and other neighbouring districts. He added.
