DOIMARA, 25 Feb: A pilot project on plantation using drone technology was launched recently at the Doimara reserve forest area of the Khellong forest division in Bhalukpong in West Kameng district, under the guidance of PCCF RK Singh and Bhalukpong DFO VK Jawal.
In this experimental phase of the project, plantation will be carried out on 200 hectares of degraded land under the Doimara reserve forest, using seed balls dropped from a drone called ‘seedcopter’.
The project is being undertaken by the environment, forests & climate change department, in association with Marut Dronetech Pvt Ltd. The project is a part of introducing drone technology in the state under the forestry sector, and it will continue for 15 days, during which 2,00,000 seed balls will be planted in the 200 hectares area.
Drone-based plantation is a new and innovative way of planting seeds in difficult terrain where reach is limited and slope gradient is high. The technology includes creating seed balls from a mixture of clay and manure with the seed at the core of it. The seed balls will provide the necessary moisture and nutrients required for germination of the seeds.
The seed balls, which are being dropped from a drone at specific intervals, reach the ground and germinate gradually after a few days.
The seed balls have been procured from Hyderabad for this project. “However, in subsequent phases, seed balls will be prepared with the help of local communities and SHGs, which will generate employment opportunities in the villages,” informed an official release.
