Hyderabad: Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha led a seed ball dispersal drive in Ranga Reddy district on Wednesday, calling on citizens to plant trees and raise awareness among students about the benefits of greenery and environmental protection.
Participating as chief guest at the event organised by TV9 at Gummadivelli forest zone in Amangal mandal, the minister launched the programme by casting seed balls into open scrubland. She noted that the seed ball method dates back to ancient times and remains in use in countries like Japan.
The balls, she explained, are made from local seeds, clay, and compost. Once thrown into inaccessible forest patches, they sprout naturally without chemical fertilisers. “When tree planting is difficult in open forest terrain, this method ensures regeneration without human interference,” she said.
Surekha emphasised the role of community involvement in greening initiatives. “Mass tree planting helps restore forest cover and sustain biodiversity. Trees bring rainfall, regulate climate, and support life,” she said, urging citizens to plant saplings in the name of their mothers and nurture them like their children.
She encouraged households to plant at least two trees each and called for statewide public participation in expanding forest zones to improve Telangana’s ecology.
The minister also underscored the need for early environmental education. “Involving schoolchildren in such initiatives helps build awareness from a young age,” she said. Students from Pallavi Group of Schools and Delhi Public School took part in the programme, along with local officials and public representatives.
Chief Conservator of Forests Priyanka Varghese, Kandukur RDO Jagadishwar Reddy, District Forest Officer Sudhakar Reddy, and other district officials were present.
