Mysuru: With a motive to spread greenery across the nation, Navodaya Vidyalayas under the aegis of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samithi have decided to plant about a crore seed balls in 28 districts of State tomorrow.

Disclosing this at a press meet at Pathrakartara Bhavan here yesterday, Samithi Convenor Bharathkumar said that the seed balls were made by the school staff and students out of red soil, manure, cow dung and seeds of tamarind, gooseberry, mango and mahogany. He added that an orientation programme on the mission was conducted at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Shivamogga recently which was attended by representatives of various Navodaya Schools.

He said the Forest Department had extended support for the event with participation of about 12,000 students, 1,500 alumni, 1,500 teachers and the public. He pointed out that the event would trigger a people’s movement on afforestation with students leading the mission.

ACF Prakash suggested the Samithi to prevent washing away of seed balls by rain water by mildly ploughing the land to a depth of about five inches.