West Bengal to launch pilot project for spreading seed balls in the barren lands

In a bid to create green cover in certain parts of the state, West Bengal's forest department has decided to launch its first pilot project for spreading seed balls in the barren lands.

The project will kick off during the state’s Van Mahotsav week beginning July 14. Self-help groups (SHG) as well as students will be spreading the seed balls in barren land. Two SHGs have been employed to make the balls – 40,000 have been made so far.

The first project is coming up in the Kotsila forest range under Purulia forest division. Later the pilot project will be extended to the Ayodhya Hills which is also located in Purulia district.


In dry areas due to less availability of water normal sapling plantations often fail. It is here that seed balls come into the picture. Charcoal powder will be mixed with soil and made into small balls. In each ball, there will be three seeds.

Charcoal acts as compost. The clay keeps the seeds moist as they germinate. They get nourishment from the compost and they grow implanting themselves in the soil. This process is known as associated succession.

Seeds of sonajhuri, neem, jamul, tamarind, bael, dates are being used to make the balls.

The department is confident that this technique will open up a new chapter in social forestry in the state. The seed ball sowing method is also considered to be more cost-effective.