Growing Cannabis Cultivation in Tripura Hills Exposes Failure of Development Policies?
Jayanta Debnath
February 3, 2026
A serious concern is emerging from the remote hill areas of Tripura where poor tribal and non tribal villagers, deprived of meaningful agricultural and livelihood support, are increasingly turning to illegal cannabis (ganja) cultivation as a means of survival. Despite substantial government funds being allocated in the name of agriculture and horticulture development, the benefits have clearly not reached the people who need them most.
In many places
local residents allege that large amounts of central and state government money have been sanctioned for horticulture projects in the Tribal and non tribal areas. However, there is little visible impact on the ground. Basic questions are now being raised: where has this money been spent, and why has it failed to bring real development to the poor tribal and non tribal communities?
Frustration is growing among villagers who see no alternative source of income. Many argue that instead of guiding them toward sustainable farming, animal husbandry, tourism, or small-scale industries, the lack of support has indirectly encouraged cannabis cultivation. For poor families, ganja farming has become an easy and quick source of hard cash, even though it remains illegal and risky.
Many social activists point out that with proper planning, the rural and hill regions of Tripura have immense potential for tourism, horticulture, medicinal plant cultivation, and other income-generating activities. Crops like stevia, flowers and other medicinal plants could be viable alternatives if promoted seriously by the government. Unfortunately, such initiatives remain mostly on paper.
Voices from within the administration also highlight the long-standing nature of the problem. A retired senior police officer recalled how, during his tenure in the late 1990s, he had submitted a detailed report on cannabis cultivation in interior areas such as Pecharthal and Bishalgarh. The report outlined the economic reasons why poor farmers preferred ganja over legal crops. He had suggested promoting high-yield alternative farming models. But like many such proposals, it was quietly buried in bureaucracy.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue to destroy illegal cannabis plantations across the state. While these operations are necessary, they do not address the root cause, poverty and unemployment. During raids, affected villagers often plead with police and BSF personnel for alternative livelihood opportunities. Without rehabilitation and economic support, many of them inevitably return to the same illegal trade.
Community members are now openly questioning the role of local political leadership and the TTAADC administration. Despite receiving huge funds over the years, there is little transparency or accountability about how those resources have been utilized. Tribal citizens want answers about development promises that remain unfulfilled.
Observers stress that simply eradicating cannabis fields is not a permanent solution. What is urgently required is a comprehensive rehabilitation policy that includes skill development, livestock support, fisheries, small industries, and genuine agricultural assistance. Only by creating legal and sustainable income options can the cycle of illegal cultivation be broken.
The situation has also sparked emotional reactions. Many describe the continuing poverty in tribal areas as a curse that has persisted for decades. Citizens are appealing to policymakers, administrators, and social leaders to come together and remove this long-standing 'daridrata abhishap' the curse of poverty.
Recently, I myself visited many cannabis plantations and interacted directly with a number of illegal cannabis cultivators in different remote areas of Tripura. I also spoke with several police personnel who have participated in numerous operations to destroy cannabis fields. These ground-level interactions made it clear that most cultivators are not hardened criminals but extremely poor people with no other viable means of livelihood.
Recently, the state police have launched massive drives against illegal cannabis cultivation in different parts of Tripura. Reports are coming in that in some areas four to five lakh cannabis plants are being cut and destroyed at a time. In many cases, police are burning the cannabis plants inside the fields themselves. As a result, it can easily be imagined how much environmental pollution is being caused in Tripura due to the smoke generated from burning ganja.
Therefore, at the end, my suggestion is either the state government should legalise cannabis cultivation, or create some genuine alternative livelihoods for these illegal cannabis cultivators.
The people of Tripura’s hill regions are not asking for charity. They are asking for opportunity, transparency, and dignity. It is now up to the government, both state and central to listen, act responsibly, and ensure that development funds truly reach the last mile.
(Writer Jayanta Debnath is a Senior Journalist and Editor, Tripurainfo.com).
(Tripurainfo)
more articles...