The parched Gauribidanur taluk in Chickballapur district will see seeds being dropped from drones on Monday.
The UAVs, provided by the Aerospace Department of Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, will disperse soaked seeds over the now-dried-up Pinakini riverbank, in a bid to increase the green cover.
This will be part of World Environment Day celebrations.
“Four to five drones, each of which can carry up to 5 kg of seeds, will make multiple sorties, in a new attempt to go green in the region,” said Gauribidanur MLA and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly N.H. Shivashankara Reddy.
An IISc. team, including professors K.P.J. Reddy, Omkar, and Jagadish, will provide technical support.
Meanwhile, the Department of Forests in Kolar has readied around half a lakh seed balls to be scattered over wasteland and on hills in this perennially drought-hit district. These seed balls were prepared by the public, including schoolchildren, at a workshop last weekend.
The seed balls, which have been made with manure-mixed soil, contain honge, amla, subabul, peepul and sandalwood seeds.
“I am happy to join hands in preparing seed balls. It is by contribution to growing trees and saving environment,” said Aishwarya, a class 9 student of Janata High School at Kembodi.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Venkatesh said, “The success rate of germination from seed balls and growth of the saplings is 20% to 25%.”
