Paralakhemundi: Forested and tribal-dominated Gajapati district has increasingly become a safe haven for illegal cannabis cultivation, with authorities reporting seizures worth Rs 314 crore in the past year. According to officials, dense forest areas and remote hilly terrains have enabled organised rackets to expand cannabis plantations by exploiting impoverished tribal residents, who are allegedly paid meagre wages to cultivate the crop on forest and government land.
Data from the district Excise department show that cannabis worth Rs 104.06 crore was seized during 2023–24, with 526 people arrested in multiple cases. In 2024–25, seizures surged drastically to Rs 314.96 crore, and 718 people were arrested. For the current year (2025– 26) so far, cannabis valued at Rs 7.02 crore has already been confiscated. Last year, authorities also seized ‘bhang’ worth Rs 12.95 lakh and destroyed 18.07 lakh plants spread across 904 acres, according to official figures.
District authorities said massive destruction drives continue this year as well, with more than 20 tonnes of bhang already destroyed. Smugglers reportedly transport cannabis from Gajapati to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Mumbai and Bihar through organised networks. District Excise Superintendent Pradeep Sahu said, despite awareness efforts, behavioural change among residents has been slow. “We are trying to sensitise people, but the impact at the community level is still limited,” he said.