Latest news with #Syzygiumcumini
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Seed ball dispersal drive held in Udupi
Udupi: The Eco Club of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, in collaboration with the Karnataka forest department, Adi Udupi, and the Manipal Birding and Conservation Trust, organised a seed ball dispersal drive to mark World Environment Day . As part of the initiative, seed balls were prepared by the Eco Club students by combining red soil, vermicompost, and coco peat. Seeds of native tree species such as jackfruit, mango, Pterocarpus marsupium (Honne), Syzygium cumini (Nerale), and Terminalia bellerica (Taare), known to flourish in the local ecosystem, were selected to ensure better germination and long-term growth. The drive was inaugurated with an address by Shivanand, deputy range forest officer (DRFO), who stressed the importance of reforestation and the role of seed balls in enhancing biodiversity and sustaining the environment. He also stressed the need for community-driven conservation efforts. Guided by forest department officials, Eco Club students dispersed approximately 870 seed balls in selected areas of Badagubettu Reserve Forest to enhance the chances of natural regeneration. In addition to the seed balls, saplings provided by the forest department were also planted. Prof Vanitha Mayya, Principal of MGM College, extended her support to the programme. Maneetha TK, convenor of the Eco Club; Thejasvi Acharya, managing trustee of the Manipal Birding and Conservation Trust; and beat forest officers Devaraj Pana, Shrinivas Jogi, and Sowmya were present. Students who participated in the drive later shared their experiences of contributing to this green initiative.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Seed balls to heal forests and prevent wildlife conflicts in Kerala
The Forest department is set to roll out an innovative ecological restoration initiative using 'seed balls', made from a mix of native plant seeds, soil, compost, cow dung and natural fungicides like turmeric. Designed to germinate wherever they land, these eco-friendly capsules (vitthundas, in local parlance) offer a low-cost solution to reviving degraded landscapes. Beyond reforestation, the effort aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflict by enriching natural food sources within forest areas, thereby reducing the incentive for animals to venture into human habitats. Focus on native species The ambitious initiative 'Vitthoot', which will be conducted from June 15 to August 15, has been integrated into the department's comprehensive Mission Food, Fodder and Water project which aims to enhance wildlife habitats by ensuring water and food availability in forests. It will focus on local species such as bamboo and fruit-bearing trees like Syzygium cumini (jamun), Ficus genus (figs) and jackfruits, which are vital food sources for wildlife. 'Seed balls are usually employed in remote and inaccessible areas, including deserts and regions hit by fires or invasive species,' an official said. 'This method has never been implemented before in Kerala, where we traditionally plant saplings as part of afforestation drives.' Collaborative efforts The seed ball programme will focus on degraded forests, exposed hilltops, abandoned plantations, weed-infested areas, fire-burnt and landslide-hit zones and dam catchment areas. The department has identified specific regions, with each forest section considered as a unit for planting. For every identified site, which can range from 10 cents to 3 hectares, approximately 2,000 seed balls will be planted per acre. At least five identified locations will be covered each day during the two-month-long project. The Vitthoot initative will be carried out in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Research Institute, which is overseeing training in seed ball preparation. The initiative will also see wide community involvement with Kudumbashree, Haritha Karma Sena workers, Eco-Development Committee and Vana Samrakshana Samithi members, NCC and SPC cadets, and local schools and colleges playing active roles in the preparation and distribution of the seed balls.
