Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan calls for quick dispersal of seed balls

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan. | Photo Credit: Photo File

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Forests K. Pawan Kalyan has asked the forest department officials to speed up the seed ball distribution program by using more drones with due focus on covering degraded forest areas.

Dispersal of seed balls has been a crucial process in achieving the goals of reforestation and 50% green cover in the state, he said at a review meeting on the initiative at his office near Mangalagiri on Saturday.

Mr. Kalyan said that dry spells due to El Nino are hampering the spread of seed balls and directed that the activity should continue without any delay in the areas receiving good rainfall. Necessary steps should be taken to protect saplings that have reached the germination stage, he advised.

Officials informed the Deputy Chief Minister that more than three million marbles have been produced in the state and more than 63 marbles have been dispersed over nearly 6,500 hectares till date.

They explained that for the first time drones were deployed to reach valleys deep inside the forests to drop seed balls and cover 1,000 acres. The highest number of seed balls, nearly 28 million, were scattered in the Rajamahendravaram Circle, including 2.26 million dropped by drones. Distribution of 7.50 lakh seed balls has been completed in Visakhapatnam forest division and 8.67 lakh in Kurnool forest division.

Depending on weather conditions, seed balls were dispersed in Chintoor, Atmakur, Giddalur, Markapur and Kadapa divisions, officials said, adding that drones were used effectively in this massive exercise.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 21:17 IST