A total of five lakh seed balls to be scattered across a vast expanse totaling 3715.765 hectares within the district during the monsoon period.
In collaboration with the Indian Navy and the Ramanathapuram Forest Division of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Mata Amritanandamayi Math inaugurated the Aerial Seed Ball Dispersing Event at INS Parundu in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.
This event was conducted in alignment with the Global Seed ball Campaign that was organised by the C20 Working Group on Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC). It will achieve the successful aerial dispersal of five lakh seed balls across the district’s landscapes. SRC’s focus during C20 was on Climate, Environment, and Net Zero Targets.
“Alignment with nature is the lasting and closest bond for the human body and life. Without the elemental forces of earth, fire, water, air and space, humankind and other creatures will cease to exist. Our essential consciousness is the totality of all these forces. As long as we do not acknowledge this eternal unity between humankind and these natural forces, peace, happiness, and harmony will remain just a dream,” said Amma about the Seed Ball Campaign.
She also explained how simple it is for any one of us to take up this practice: “Gather at least 100 seeds. Take a bit of soil, cow dung, or compost in a paper to insert the seeds into it and tie it up. This, when thrown into the forests, will start to germinate and grow. Trees in the forest do not usually need any water or fertilizers, their own fallen leaves become fertilizers to such trees.”
Swami Ramakrishnananda Puri, Trustee & Treasurer of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, presented the seed balls to Rear Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra, Flag Officer Commanding of Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area who inaugurated the ceremony. These seed balls are slated to be scattered across a vast expanse totaling 3715.765 hectares within the district during the monsoon period, as indicated by Captain Vikrant Sabnis, Commanding Officer of INS Parundu.
In July, the Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Smt. Tamilisai Soundararajan, announced the collaboration with the Indian Navy for this noble initiative. The launch of the seed ball dispersal ceremony was presided over by the Honourable President of India, Her Excellency Smt. Draupadi Murmu, at the Thirukanchi Temple in Puducherry.
“In this world where approximately 10 million hectares of forests are lost each year, endangering the delicate balance of our ecosystems and the stability of our climate, urgent action is non-negotiable. Deforestation poses a grave threat to the rich tapestry of life on Earth. The Seed Ball Campaign, born out of the foresighted vision of Amma, offers a simple yet powerful path forward. It’s a catalyst for behavioural change that transcends age and background, uniting us in the mission to preserve our environment,” said Swami Ramakrishnananda.
“This campaign isn’t just about saving biodiversity; it’s about safeguarding our future. Over time, it will reduce the degradation of biodiversity, fortify communities against climate change, and nurture a healthier planet for all. With a current presence across five continents and 12 Indian states, stakeholders are taking an active part in C20’s Global Seed ball Campaign.”
