From 11% to 100%: How Himachal Pradesh saved the rare Cheer pheasant from dying out in the wild

In a coordinated operation led by the NCB, approximately 592 acres of illicit cannabis cultivation were destroyed in Kullu's Parvati Valley. The joint effort involved the ITBP, Himachal Pradesh Police, and the State Forest Department. Teams navigated challenging terrain, including steep, forested slopes at elevations between 2,100–3,050 meters, as well as adverse weather conditions such as rain and fog to reach remote, inaccessible sites.

The illicit crop was cut down and burned on-site, with geo-tagged photographs taken for documentation. Following the success in Parvati Valley, the drive is set to expand into Kasol, while an NCB team has already arrived in Chamba district to commence destruction operations. This operation aligns with the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29), which aims to create a drug-free India by targeting drug cultivation at the source through collaborative efforts between central and state agencies to eradicate illicit cultivation.