Police destroy ganja plantation in Rayagada

Koraput: The Rayagada district police have launched a campaign titled ‘Aim Zero’, which is aimed at completely eliminating cannabis cultivation through sustained awareness and enforcement drives.The initiative, started in June, focuses on sensitising local tribal communities with the support of PRI members against engaging in illegal ganja cultivation and encouraging them to switch to alternative crops. As part of the ongoing drive, on Tuesday, a joint team of police, administration, excise and forest departments destroyed around 18,000 cannabis plants spread over six acres near Tatalapanga, Mahadeem Purunasahi and Mahadeem Nuasahi villages under Padmapur police station limits.“Last year, Mahadeem alone had 51 acres of illegal cultivation and Tatalapanga had 32 acres. This year, it has been brought down to only six acres,” Rayagada SP Swathy S Kumar said, adding, “In many of these areas, we have noticed villagers switching to maize cultivation, which is an encouraging sign.”Since Sept, police are conducting extensive drone surveys to monitor vulnerable areas and detect any new cultivation.The surveillance covered villages such as Asargudi, Burkudi, Lamdang, Kanchakarada and Kindragudaonce hotspots for ganja farming, but this year, no new cultivation was detected. Together, these villages accounted for over 30 acres of illegal cultivation in 2024.“Our goal is clear – we want zero cultivation. If any fresh patches are found, we will ensure they are destroyed immediately so that zero ganja leaves the district,” DIG (south-western range) Kanwar Vishal Singh said.The administration is also carrying out continuous awareness campaigns to prevent villagers from returning to illegal cultivation in the upcoming season. “We are involving local PRI members and the agriculture department to counsel villagers on alternative crops and sustainable livelihoods,” the DIG added.Sources said ganja cultivation continues to thrive in the remote hills and forests of Chandrapur, Gunupur, Gudari and Muniguda areas of the district. Many people are drawn to the trade as it offers high returns in a short time with minimal investment within two months, a ganja plant matures and can fetch over Rs 1,000 in the market.“With community cooperation, administrative support and strict enforcement, we are steadily moving towards our vision of a ganja-free Rayagada,” the SP said.