Gangs from Maharashtra and North India are supplying seeds and money to tribals in Nizamabad and Medak districts as part of their organised crime network, the prohibition and excise department said in Nizamabad.

This has encouraged tribals to grow ganja (marijuana plant) not only on their lands but also on government lands and reserved forest areas. But, recently villagers began providing information to the department of the "large scale ganja cultivation in the region".

Between April last and January this year, 11,60,671 ganja plants valued at Rs175.1 million were destroyed in Nizamabad district alone. In 2000-01, the department destroyed ganja valued at Rs830 million, but the seizure and destruction operation resulted in only Rs521.6 million worth of ganja being destroyed the next year.

The department said the gangs particularly liked the Narayankhed area in Medak district to operate and raids in the area, now well known for ganja cultivation, between April last and January this year resulted in ganja valued at Rs777.5 million being destroyed.

In its anti-drug drive, the department distributed 1,000 postcards pre-addressed to its excise superintendents in the two districts, among tribals in the hamlets in the two districts taking the chance that some tribals at least would provide their officials information about the ganja plantations.

The department's self-confessed scepticism turned to surprise when many tribals responded sending back the postcards with information.

Based on this information, it carried out many raids. The department said it also stuck posters and distributed leaflets among the tribals.

The deputy commissioner (prohibition and excise), Nizamabad division, Yugandhar Reddy, said offenders were warned that cultivation, possession and transportation of ganja was punishable under the narcotics prevention act with imprisonment of up to 20 years.

Villagers in the districts were warned if ganja was cultivated on government or assignment land, the lands could be seized and the contracts cancelled.

Folklore has played a role in the anti-drug operations and the department arranged cultural performances and distributed cassettes to spread its message. Reddy said the department asked police cultural troupes to produce the cassettes.

"The songs tell how a happy family is ruined after the head of the family takes to ganja cultivation and his son is addicted to it."