Students, volunteers make over 10 lakh seed balls in 30 hours

Seeds balls to be dropped in select locations with the help of Forest Department.

Around 6,000 persons, including schoolchildren and volunteers, took part in the initiative at Thiyagi N.G Ramaswamy Memorial Higher Secondary School in the city on Saturday.

Over 10 lakh seed balls were made in 30 hours by students and volunteers at the ‘Seed Ball Festival’ organised by Thiyagi N.G. Ramaswamy Memorial Higher Secondary School and Ruthambra Yoga Centre in the city.

The festival that began on Saturday culminated at 6 p.m. Sunday.

According to school headmaster G. Sadhasivam, around 6,000 participants, including students from 15 government, government aided and matriculation schools, 10 colleges, and volunteers from 15 non-governmental organisations, members of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Junior Red Cross and National Green Corps, took part in the initiative held on the school premises.

Explaining the efficiency of seed balls, Mr. Sadhasivam said that the seeds would last for nearly two years with 80 % chance of sprouting as they were covered with a mixture of mud, cow dung and compost.

After the seeds balls are ready, they will be dropped in select locations with the help of Forest Department, he added.

S.V. Nandagopal, one of the organisers, said seed balls can be even prepared at home using compost and seeds from vegetables and fruits,” he said.

The festival was inaugurated by Chief Education Officer R. Murugan in the presence of Ruthambra Yoga Centre founder Pathanjali Eswaran on Saturday.