# Odisha intensifies crackdown on illegal cannabis cultivation on government land

2026-08-14T11:21:20+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Department has directed six district Collectors to step up vigilance against illegal cannabis cultivation on government land. Additional Chief Secretary Aravind Padhee wrote to the Collectors of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh and Gajapati, ordering field officials to monitor vulnerable plots and prevent repeat cultivation. During the 2025-26 crop season, Odisha Police destroyed illegal cannabis across 36,508.792 acres on 1,631 GPS-mapped plots, of which 6,632.197 acres were government land. Officials have been given GPS coordinates of these locations and instructed to coordinate with police, STF or ANTF under the NDPS Act if illegal cultivation recurs. Padhee warned of strict action against any revenue official found assisting cannabis mafias.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/odisha-govt-intensifies-crackdown-on-cannabis-cultivation-revenue-secretary-writes-to-6-district-collectors-article-155616593>
- assamtribune.com <https://assamtribune.com/national/odisha-tightens-vigil-against-illegal-ganja-cultivation-on-govt-land-1615659>

Tags: Aravind Padhee, NDPS Act, Odisha, Odisha Police, Revenue and Disaster Management Department
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