• Over 2 Crore Seed Balls Sown Across 20 Thousand Hectares
• Forest Restoration Program Progressing Rapidly Under the Guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan
• Key Step Toward Achieving 50% Green Cover Target
• Drone Technology Playing a Crucial Role in Forest Restoration Processes
The resolve of the state’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Forests and Environment, Shri PawanKalyan, to achieve 50% green cover is taking firm strides toward realization. The seed ball dissemination program, launched by him with the goals of restoring degraded forests and enhancing greenery, is progressing in line with its objectives. This program has been completed up to 85% of its targeted goal.
Under the aegis of the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, in coordination with local communities, NGOs, and various departments, the process of sowing approximately 2.06 crore seed balls has been completed so far. On World Environment Day, at the Moolapadu Eco Park, the first seed ball was prepared, and the enthusiasm instilled by Shri Pawan Kalyan among officials and the public sowed the seeds for the production of 2.82 crore seed balls.
In line with the Deputy Chief Minister’s instructions, the majority portion of the seed balls—made with seeds from indigenous, multi-purpose tree species—has been utilized for the restoration of degraded forest areas. For this purpose, drone technology is being employed. Based on weather conditions, the seed ball dissemination process has been completed across 20,929 hectares so far. With the support of field-level forest staff and people from border villages, this program has been undertaken like a movement within forest fringes and successfully completed.
With rainfall improving somewhat in forest areas, drone assistance has been used to identify and sow seed balls in regions amid forests where human resources cannot reach, particularly in areas where tree wealth has depleted. Seeds were selected based on the geographical suitability of the regions. The program has been extensively carried out within the limits of Tirupati, Anantapur, Kurnool, Guntur, Rajamahendravaram, NTR, and Visakhapatnam districts. Forest department field staff are actively participating in seed ball preparation, transportation, and dissemination activities. Under Shri Pawan Kalyan’s orders, forest officials are advancing toward the target of sowing over 3 crore seed balls this season.
Marking the occasion of the seed ball dissemination process reaching a significant new milestone, Shri Pawan Kalyan congratulated all partners, including the forest department staff. In the context of achieving the 50% green cover target and the crucial role of the seed ball dissemination program in forest restoration processes, Shri Pawan Kalyan directed that the forest department should pay special attention to aspects such as the germination percentage in the sown areas, plant growth, and related matters as a follow-up.
