PULWAMA, FEBRUARY 20: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary, a team of enforcement wings of various departments carried out a massive drive to destroy the poppy cultivation in the fields of various areas of the Pulwama District.It is important to mention that the drive has been initiated at an appropriate stage at which juvenile crop cannot be used for any illicit activity.While directing the officers to carry out the drive against illegal cultivation of poppy, the DC said that District Administration has zero tolerance policy against drug abuse and no avenue for cultivating illicit crops is being left out in the district.He said the administration aims to substitute the narcotic crop with a remunerative and cash crop like that of peas and other high value vegetables. He added that District administration has already started capacity building of the farmers for shifting to alternative crops high income valueThe DC emphasized on concerned departments for educating the people especially farmers for using their land for the cultivation of alternative crops of high values to curb the cultivation of illicit poppy and cannabis in the district.It is worth mentioning here that the District Administration is committed towards people’s welfare and generating sustainable livelihood for people through various employment generation schemes. A multi-pronged approach including community participation, rehabilitation, counseling and guidance policy is being implemented on ground to monitor drug abuse and take remedial measures to curb the menace.
