The Revenue Department has instructed field officials to use this data for systematic and continuous monitoring of the identified plots.
Revenue Secy writes to collectors to monitor illegal ganja cultivation: The Odisha government has directed officials to intensify and keep a continuous watch on government revenue land to prevent illegal ganja cultivation. At least six districts identified as vulnerable to such activities.
Revenue and Disaster Management Department Additional Chief Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee has written to the Collectors of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh and Gajapati to ensure strict surveillance and coordinated action at the field level. Additional Tahsildars, Revenue Inspectors and Revenue Supervisors are also instructed to take coordinated action over government revenue land where illegal cultivation was previously detected and destroyed.
The Police Department has also provided GPS coordinates of locations where illegal ganja cultivation was destroyed between November 2025 and March 2026. The Revenue Department has instructed field officials to use this data for systematic and continuous monitoring of the identified plots. Field officials have also been instructed to keep plot- and village-wise details of such land, along with their GPS coordinates, ready for prompt action. If illegal ganja cultivation is detected again on government revenue land, the concerned officials must immediately inform the local police station, the Special Task Force (STF) or the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF).
The Revenue Secretary has further directed the district administrations to ensure immediate communication with law enforcement agencies for necessary legal action under Section 47 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Dr Padhee said that strict action would be taken against any revenue official found assisting ganja cultivation mafias or individuals involved in the illegal activity.
The intensified surveillance is aimed at preventing the recurrence of illegal cultivation on government land and strengthening coordination between the Revenue Department and law enforcement agencies in the six identified districts.
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