The state police and excise department have jointly destroyed 22,217 acres of cultivation of hemp, a variety of cannabis, in 2020-21, as compared to 9,473 acres in 2018-19.
It was also decided to apply the satellite and drone technology to locate the areas of illegal cultivation and destroy those before harvesting.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra, it was decided that the police and the excise department will intensify enforcement activity to stop hemp farming in the state.
Mohapatra asked the revenue department officials to go through the records of land where hemp is cultivated and take action against the landowners as per provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Excise department principal secretary SK Lohani said hemp cultivation was destroyed in 10 districts.
The collectors were asked to identify tribal poor families who are living on this trade and provide them alternative livelihood opportunities.
