Sudam Babu|state Buero chief odisha

Boudh, November 5, 2026: In a major crackdown against illegal cannabis cultivation and drug-related activities, the Boudh district administration and police have launched an intensified campaign to make the district completely free from illicit cannabis cultivation within the next two months.

The drive is being carried out under the special initiative ‘Ek Sankalpa – Nisha Mukt Boudh’, which forms part of the nationwide Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The campaign combines strict action against illegal cultivation and drug trafficking with public awareness programmes and efforts to provide alternative sources of income to vulnerable communities.

The scale of the operation is reflected in the latest enforcement figures. According to the district police, approximately 2,188.03 acres of illegally cultivated cannabis have already been destroyed during the 2026–27 cultivation season.

Senior Police Officer Reviews Anti-Cannabis Operations

As part of the ongoing campaign, Himanshu Lal, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), CID-CB, Bhubaneswar, visited Boudh to assess the progress of the anti-cannabis operation and review the enforcement measures undertaken by different departments.

A high-level coordination meeting was organised at the Sadbhavana Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Boudh Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Meena.

The meeting was attended by Boudh Collector Bibhuti Bhushan Nayak, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Ramendra Prasad, ANTF, CID-CB Superintendent of Police Sanjeeb Satpathy, Excise Superintendent Shanti Marandi and Boudh Divisional Forest Officer Rajendra Gochhayat.

Additional District Magistrate Aniruddha Pradhan, Chief Development Officer Prabhas Chandra Dandasena, SDPO Baliguda and senior representatives from the Police, Excise, Revenue and Forest departments also participated.

The discussions focused on reviewing the progress of the destruction drive, improving coordination among enforcement agencies and developing a comprehensive action plan to achieve the district’s cannabis-free target.

Officials Take Collective Pledge Against Illegal Cultivation

During the meeting, participating officers and stakeholders took a collective pledge to eliminate illegal cannabis cultivation from Boudh.

The officials emphasised that sustained cooperation between different government departments would be essential to achieving the objective within the stipulated two-month period.

The administration also highlighted the need to identify vulnerable locations, strengthen field-level monitoring and ensure that enforcement operations continue without interruption.

A key message emerging from the meeting was that eliminating illegal cultivation requires more than police action. Communities involved in such activities must also receive opportunities to shift towards legitimate and sustainable economic activities.

Farmers to Be Encouraged Towards Alternative Livelihoods

Recognising the economic challenges faced by people in cannabis-growing areas, the district administration has proposed a comprehensive livelihood diversification strategy.

The Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry departments are expected to play an important role in helping vulnerable households adopt alternative income-generating activities.

Several horticultural crops were identified as potential substitutes for illegal cannabis cultivation. These include:

• Banana
• Jackfruit
• Guava
• Papaya
• Drumstick
• Cashew
• Coffee

Apart from crop-based activities, livestock rearing, particularly goats, sheep and cattle, was discussed as another viable livelihood option.

The approach aims to encourage local communities to move away from illegal cultivation by providing opportunities for lawful income generation and long-term economic stability.

Enforcement Drive Covers Thousands of Acres

Following the review meeting, the visiting IGP, along with the Superintendents of Police of Boudh and Kandhamal, ANTF personnel and other officers, inspected several cannabis cultivation locations across the district.

The team examined the ongoing destruction operations and reviewed the effectiveness of field-level enforcement measures.

The official figures highlight the extent of the action taken so far:

Key enforcement achievements

• 2,188.03 acres: Illegal cannabis cultivation destroyed during the 2026–27 cultivation season.
• 73 cases: Registered in connection with the cultivation destruction drive.
• 11 arrests: Made in cases linked to illegal cultivation.
• 13,243.450 kg: Cannabis seized since June 2026.
• 93 cases: Registered in connection with the reported cannabis seizures.
• 91 arrests: Made in connection with the seizure-related cases.
• 83,790 kg: Seized cannabis destroyed under Operation Dahan at designated incineration facilities following prescribed procedures.

These figures underline the scale of the coordinated campaign being undertaken by the district authorities against illegal cannabis production and trafficking.

Operation Dahan Strengthens Drug Disposal Measures

Alongside the destruction of cannabis plantations, authorities have also taken action to dispose of seized narcotics through the prescribed legal process.

Under Operation Dahan, a total of 83,790 kg of seized cannabis has been destroyed at designated incineration facilities in accordance with applicable rules and procedures.

The initiative forms an important part of the wider enforcement strategy aimed at preventing seized narcotic substances from re-entering illegal distribution networks.

Two-Month Target for Cannabis-Free Boudh

The police and district administration have expressed confidence that their combined efforts will help eliminate illegal cannabis cultivation from Boudh within the next two months.

The ‘Ek Sankalpa – Nisha Mukt Boudh’ initiative represents a multi-pronged approach involving law enforcement, administrative coordination, community participation and livelihood development.

Authorities believe that the long-term success of the campaign will depend on addressing both the illegal cultivation network and the economic circumstances that encourage vulnerable communities to participate in it.

The district administration has appealed to residents to cooperate with enforcement agencies, provide information about illegal cannabis plantations and drug trafficking activities, and support the movement towards a drug-free society.

With thousands of acres of illegal cultivation already destroyed, Boudh has intensified its efforts to achieve its ambitious target of becoming a cannabis-free district within the next two months.