Govt. distributes 2 crore saplings in tribal regions to curb ganja cultivation
The Minister said that the NDA government is committed to eradicating ganja from the State. As an alternative to ganja, tribal farmers will receive fruit-bearing plants such as silver oak, sapota, mango, guava, jamun, lemon, jackfruit, and custard apple.
The Minister said: 'Almost 90% of ganja cultivation has already been eradicated in the district.' She highlighted how tribal-grown coffee has achieved international recognition and revealed that plans are underway to expand coffee plantations to one lakh acres.
She further said that the government is making efforts to improve road infrastructure in remote tribal regions, with ₹1,000 crore earmarked for road construction over the next few years
Home Minister V Anitha expressed concerns over tribal youth being exploited by ganja smugglers and middlemen. She said: 'Of the 900 ganja smugglers currently in Visakhapatnam Central Jail, nearly 700 are tribal youth misled by middlemen to illegally cultivate ganja.' The Home Minister also said that assets worth ₹3.73 crore have been seized from those involved in ganja-related crimes.
District Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar shared that fruit saplings are being planted across 35,000 acres through the NREGS scheme, with a budget of ₹54 crore. He said that, following Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's directives, coffee cultivation will be scaled up significantly in the next three to four years.
District SP Amit Bardar said that around 93 acres of ganja crops have been identified and destroyed using drone surveillance. He stated that 325 families previously engaged in ganja farming are now being supported with alternate livelihoods. Awareness programs have been organised in over 1,600 villages to educate people on the dangers and legal consequences of ganja cultivation.
Eagle IG Ravi Krishna urged citizens to report illegal activities through the toll-free number 1972, assuring confidentiality for informants.
During the programme, the dignitaries distributed saplings and ragi seeds to farmers. Officials also launched the 'Swachha Sankalpam' poster.
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