Mysuru: Navodaya School at Doddamargowdanahalli (DMG Halli) on the outskirts of the city on Mysuru-Gaddige Road, today became part of the Karnataka Navodaya Seed Ball Campaign, with the School preparing one lakh seed balls to be dispersed in lands identified by the Department of Forests.

The programme aims at producing one crore seed balls through Navodaya Vidyalaya family with co-operation from public and villagers.

The campaign was launched after two seed ball exercises carried out in Navodaya School in Shivamogga district in March this year proved successful with the production of two lakh seed balls, following which Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Hyderabad region, decided to extend this programme to all the 28 Navodaya Schools across Karnataka.

Speaking at the launching of the programme, DCF Dr. Karikalan lauded the Navodaya ‘mission’ to produce one crore seed balls.

Pointing out that the State Government and the Forest Department were supporting the campaign, he said that seed ball is a proven and tested economical method designed for large-scale afforestation.

Stressing on the need for saving our nature and environment, Dr. Karikalan noted that every member of the society can contribute to it by planting one sapling each in their neighbourhood.

Explaining the benefits of seed ball culture, he said the seed ball is a combination of mud, cowdung and a seed from different variety of trees such as honge, tamarind, neem, maavu, nerale, taare etc., and as well as fruit-bearing seeds.

Detailing the measures taken by the Forest Department for afforestation, he said that the forest cover in the State had increased significantly in the last 10 years, with the department launching a whole range of campaign for large-scale afforestation.

Reiterating the importance of expanding forest cover, Dr. Karikalan cautioned against destruction of forests in the name of development.

Navodaya School faculty Jayabharathi gave a brief on the mega seed ball event that was conducted at Navodaya Vidyalaya, Gajanur in Shivamogga district earlier this month.

Mysuru Division Assistant Conservator of Forests  A. Prakash, Social Forestry DFO Nagaraj, RFO H.K. Puttaraju, Navodaya School Principal R. Anuradha, Vice-Principal Meena Kumari and others were present.

Over 450 school children and 40 faculty members and staff are taking part in this day-long event, which culminates later in the evening with awareness campaigns for villagers at DMG Halli village, Marayyanahundi and Marahalli.