Eradication of Illegal Cannabis Cultivation in Kandhamal, Odisha

Security personnel and district administration officials are actively engaged in dismantling illegal ganja cultivation in the remote hills of Kandhamal district, Odisha.

Operations and Achievements

• Since November, over 4,000 acres of cannabis plantations have been destroyed.
• 59,068 kg of cannabis seized, 211 arrests made in 185 cases in 2025.
• Kandhamal records the highest cannabis seizure by any district in India this year.

Challenges and Strategies

• Geographical Favorability: The remote and forested terrain, coupled with a suitable climate, makes the district ideal for cannabis cultivation.
• Economic Incentive: Cannabis is more lucrative than legal crops, selling at ₹2,000-₹3,000 per kg.
• Criminal Involvement: Allegations involve even police officials; the Maoists allegedly support these activities.
• Detection Evasion: Smaller patches of fewer than 150 plants are hidden under tree cover to avoid satellite and drone detection.

Efforts to Curb the Trade

• Use of drones and coordinated raids aim to target the financiers behind the cultivation.
• Attempts to establish financial trails and prosecute financiers face significant challenges.

Alternative Solutions

• The police propose engaging villagers in alternative crops such as fruits, spices, and agroforestry through government schemes.
• Targeting villagers with economic opportunities aims to discourage ganja cultivation.

Social Dynamics

• Despite widespread local involvement, the police aim to avoid antagonizing villagers.
• Kandhamal’s indigenous turmeric, with a geographical indication tag, contrasts with the illegal cannabis cultivation by villagers.