6 May: BHADERWAH, MAY 06: In a major step toward curbing drug-related activities, the Bhaderwah Forest Division has launched a large-scale anti-cannabis drive under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan.
The initiative focuses on removing wild cannabis—commonly known as ganja and bhang—from forest areas in the Kellar Range of Bhaderwah. The drive is part of a broader 100-day campaign aimed at tackling drug cultivation and promoting a drug-free society.
Teams from the Territorial Forest Department and the Forest Protection Force are actively engaged in the operation. The effort is being led by Range Officer Shafqat Malik, who is overseeing on-ground activities in dense forest patches where wild cannabis growth has been identified.
In addition to the eradication work, officials are conducting awareness programmes in nearby remote schools, educating students about the harmful effects of drug cultivation and substance abuse. The dual approach of enforcement and awareness is seen as a key strategy in addressing the issue at both supply and demand levels.
Divisional Forest Officer Devinder Kumar stated that the campaign has been launched simultaneously across multiple ranges, including Kellar, Neeru, Chirala, and Bhalessa. He informed that nearly 100 acres of forest land have already been cleared of wild cannabis growth as part of the ongoing effort.
The officer emphasized that the initiative aims not only to remove illegal crops but also to prevent the spread of narcotics and protect forest ecosystems. By targeting cultivation at its source, the department hopes to significantly reduce the availability of such substances.
Authorities highlighted that forest areas are often misused for illegal cultivation due to their remoteness. The current drive is intended to strengthen surveillance and ensure that such activities are effectively checked in the future.
The campaign reflects a coordinated effort by forest and enforcement agencies to support the larger goal of a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir. Officials have also appealed to local communities to cooperate and report any suspicious activities related to narcotic cultivation.
With sustained action and community participation, the Bhaderwah Forest Division aims to make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing anti-drug mission in the region.
