VISAKHAPATNAM: After Amaravathi capital region, the state government is all set to take up the aerial seeding operations in the city. Home minister N Chinna Rajappa during his visit here Sunday, formally launched the operations which will begin in a couple of days. Using Navy helicopter, the aerial seeding of six varieties of seeds will be done in over 1,980 hectares of land.
As many as six locations, Kailasagiri, Marikavalasa, Simhachalam, Yarada and two places in Bheemili have been identified for the aerial seeding in which 1,980 hectares of land will be treated. About 19.8 tonnes of Vepa, Chinta, Subabul, Nallatumma, Rela and Gliricidia seeds will be used. The forest officials said that the seeds had been palletised mechanically to protect the seed from predators, pests and insect damage. It also increases the chances of seed survival and germination.
The officials said that 15 varieties of seeds of about 41,000 kg had been accumulated for aerial seeding, including two other manual techniques like scooping & dibbling and broadcasting. For scooping and dibbling, the officials identified 11 locations in which around 890 hectares of area will be treated with 8.9 tonnes of seed like Kanuga, hill mango, Yegisa, Nallamaddi and Kunkudu. While for broadcasting, five locations have been identified in which 450 hectares of area will be treated with 4.5 tonnes of seeds like Vepa, Nallatumma, Sisso, Dirisenam and Kunkudu.