Dateline Dehradun: Bombs! Seed Bombs rained from the sky on either side of the Dehradun-New Delhi National Highway between Asharodi and Daat-kali Temple, in July this year.
These organic, hand-made seed bombs were designed by Dwarika Prasad Semwal, seen as an expert in the field who runs the campaign under the banner Himalayan Paryavaran Jadibooti Agro Sansthan, Uttarakashi.
So what are these seed bombs? Seed bombs is a technique of planting trees by embedding organic seeds wrapped in a blanket of earth, cow dung, paper and soil. They contain everything needed — compost, clay and seeds — to yield a green explosion when they hit open ground, which in turn is food in the making, for wild animals.
Dwarika Prasad explains the concept further, “To reverse ecological decline as well as to decrease man-animal conflict! Loss of habitat; wild forest fires coupled with global warming are reasons for this ecological breakdown. Adding, “The loss of natural vegetation and habitat causes wild animals to venture out in human vicinity that in turn has resulted in alarming increase in man-animal conflict.”
Dwarika adds, “Seed bombs are a part of our crusade to mitigate human – nature conflict. We are trying to bring food closer to animals in their natural habitat.”
Also known as aerial reforestation, seed balling or seed grenades is a concept which began in Japan and soon spread worldwide. But in Uttarakhand, state government is playing spoil sport as no official permission is granted to those who want to scatter seed bombs from air.
During “Seed Bomb Awareness Week” held in early July, Himalayan Aero Sports Association or HASA joined hands with JADI where Vinay Singh, a Para-motor flyer scattered these seed bombs in and around Mohand. As Secretary of HASA, Vinay Singh tells us, “We plan to give a packet of seed bombs to every tourist who comes to fly in Maldevta, Dehradun, which he will then spread across the forests during his flight.”
Fifteen states have already signed up to welcome this unique initiative and following its success rate we are sure that our hill-state will follow suit, as well.
