Seed balls can help extend green cover: forest official

Forest officials and volunteers prepare seed balls during a training program organized by NGO Green Climate Team at Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary on Tuesday. | Photo credit: IN PARADISE

Visakhapatnam Chief Conservator of Forests IKV Raju on Tuesday called for widespread use of seed balls to improve green cover and stressed the need to preserve native plant species through systematic collection of native seeds.

Addressing a preparatory seed-ball training program organized at Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary under the leadership of NGO Green Climate Team founder and secretary JV Ratnam, Mr. Raju said changing weather conditions have made environmental protection an urgent priority. He urged people to spread the seed balls widely in hilly areas, plains and coastal areas during the monsoon season to improve green cover and ecological balance.

Mr. Raju appealed to the public to hand over the seeds collected from the dried fruits to the Forest Department and emphasized the importance of preserving native varieties for future generations.

Explaining the preparation process, Mr. Ratnam said that forests are vital for sustaining life on earth and maintaining ecological stability. Participants prepared seed balls from a mixture containing 70% fresh cow dung and 30% soil and shaped them into small lumps containing the seeds. According to him, the prepared seed balls should be dried for three days and stored in a well-ventilated place without grass.

Among those present were Manikya Kumari, NSS Program Director of St. Mary’s College for Women. Joseph, District Forest Officer Somasundaram, Paderu DFO Umamaheswari, Parvathipuram DFO Prasuna, Chintapalli DFO Narasimha Rao, Anakapalli DFO Samuel, Squad DFO Sunil Kumar and Visakhapatna. A large number of rangers, forest officials and staff from the Uttarandhra region participated in the programme.

Published – 26 May 2026 21:04 IST