The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has launched a major crackdown on illegal cannabis cultivation in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, destroying more than 61 acres of illicit crops spread across remote, high-altitude terrain. The ongoing operation, which began as part of the national Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29), is being conducted jointly with multiple central and state agencies.

Key Developments

The joint drive is being carried out alongside the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Himachal Pradesh Police, and the State Forest Department. Teams are navigating difficult mountainous terrain to reach remote cultivation zones that have historically evaded enforcement due to rugged topography and limited accessibility.

To ensure accountability, the NCB confirmed that every stage of the exercise is being geo-tagged and documented through photographs and videography. 'Teams are operating in difficult mountainous terrain, with the exercise being geo-tagged and documented through photographs and videography to ensure transparency. Legal action to follow against those responsible for illegal cultivation,' the NCB stated.

Strategic Context and National Framework

The operation is a central pillar of the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29), which charts a roadmap toward achieving a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (drug-free India) by targeting narcotics at their source. The strategy prioritises coordinated eradication of illicit cultivation through seamless collaboration between central and state agencies — a model that this Kullu operation exemplifies.

Cannabis cultivation in Himachal Pradesh's high-altitude zones has long challenged enforcement agencies. The Kullu district, in particular, has been associated with large-scale illicit crop growth for decades, partly owing to favourable natural conditions and difficult terrain that hampers ground access.

Inter-Agency Coordination

Officials emphasised that the NCB is providing operational leadership while drawing on the local knowledge and field strength of state police, ITBP, and forest department personnel. This model of inter-agency synergy, authorities noted, is critical to breaking the supply chain at its point of origin rather than intercepting drugs downstream.

Notably, this coordinated, multi-force approach marks an evolution from earlier eradication drives that were largely state-led and often faced resource and jurisdictional constraints. The geo-tagging and documentation protocol also addresses past criticism over the verifiability of destruction claims.

What Happens Next

Authorities confirmed that legal proceedings will be initiated against all individuals found responsible for the illegal cultivation. The operation is ongoing, and officials indicated that additional areas under illicit cultivation are expected to be covered in the coming days. The NCB reiterated its commitment to pursuing all cases through proper legal processes to their conclusion.

As the drive continues to expand its reach across Kullu's high-altitude belt, the success of this phase is being viewed as a measurable milestone in India's broader campaign to eliminate illicit drug cultivation at source.