Waging a war to eradicate the drug menace from Himachal Pradesh (HP), the state government upbeat with its
performance last year, has decided to start the cannabis and opium destruction drive earlier this year.

The move has been planned as the state government is buoyed with the success of last year’s cannabis destruction drive that had started in various areas across the state only after the monsoons, following the launch of the campaign on August 22.

Chief Secretary V C Pharka said, “We had asked for a proposal from all the district commissioners, to resume the cannabis destruction drive this year, as the time period for the growth of cannabis varies in the low and high altitude regions of the state. Hence, accordingly the drive will resume soon.”

The cannabis destruction drive had picked up in a big way in 2016, which witnessed the clearing of cannabis from 17,627.19 bighas of area, which was highest till date and 486.7 per cent more as compared to the previous years.

Meanwhile, in 2012 it was 1,830.15 bighas, 4,569 in 2013 and 1,639.17 bighas in 2014. Besides, the various government departments, including polices, forest, the campaign had witnessed participation of Mahila mandals, Self Help Groups, gram panchyats, Yuvak Mandals and students to uproot 3,56,25,530 plants.

“Looking in to the overwhelming response at the public end, with more than 2 lakh people having volunteered to participate in the campaign, we have written to centre to bring the activity of cannabis and poppy destruction under Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MANREGA),”said V C Pharka.

He added that this year the campaign will further yield better results, with the help of a mapping of cannabis and opium areas that was done after last year’s drive and even  identifying areas that were never thought of.

“Zero tolerance for cannabis and poppy cultivation is being adopted on revenue and forest land. The Narcotics Cell is being strengthened, awareness programmes and greater involvement of government departments, NGOs were also being sought,” said, Himachal Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar.

The move of cannabis and opium destruction stems out from the urgent need to eradicate the drug menace which has gained notoriety in various parts of the state including Malana in Kullu district and the situation of cannabis and opium plantation organized or in wild taking grave proportion.

Earlier local varieties were grown, however, with the commercialization and attraction of foreigner’s hybrid varieties were being grown. The cannabis leaves are used to make marijuana or charas.