Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt on Friday directed collectors of six districts to step up vigilance and prevent re‑cultivation of ganja on govt land where cannabis plants had earlier been destroyed. In a letter to collectors of Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh and Gajapati —districts notorious for rampant ganja farming — revenue department’s additional chief secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee warned of strict action against officials working hand-in-glove with the mafia.“Maintain continuous and vigilant watch over revenue land where illegal cannabis cultivation were earlier destroyed. Village‑wise and plot‑wise particulars, together with GPS coordinates of such locations, should be obtained from police authorities to facilitate systematic surveillance and effectively prevent any re‑cultivation,” Padhee wrote.He instructed that any fresh instance of cannabis cultivation on govt land must be immediately reported to the jurisdictional police station or the special task force, as mandated under Section 47 of the NDPS Act, 1985. Padhee cautioned that cultivators often return to the same patches of govt land, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas where surveillance is weak. With the crop season approaching (Nov 2026 to March 2027), he flagged a “real and imminent risk” of re‑cultivation unless sustained field‑level vigilance is ensured.During the 2025‑26 destruction drive, Odisha police cleared illicit cannabis spread over 36,508 acres across 1,631 GPS‑mapped patches in the six districts. Of this, 6,632 acres were on revenue land. “The crime branch has furnished GPS coordinates of the destroyed patches. Field authorities must ensure these lands are protected,” Padhee said.He also advocated creation of an internal reporting mechanism at district level to ensure prompt transmission of information to law enforcement agencies. “Suitable instructions may be issued to all concerned field‑level revenue officials to ensure strict compliance and maintain close coordination with local police,” his letter added.He said that during last month’s narco‑coordination centre (NCORD) meeting, it was resolved to intensify efforts to curb ganja cultivation while simultaneously promoting alternative livelihood opportunities in affected areas. “Any revenue official found conniving with vested interests or mafia elements will face stringent disciplinary action,” Padhee warned.
