Kerala’s forest department launched an innovative afforestation effort, coinciding with World Environment Day this year, in response to increasing human-wildlife conflicts and associated mortality. This was the aerial distribution of thousands of seed balls across the state’s woods and vacant land, a strategy unprecedented in scope within India to promote ecological restoration.
The extensive ‘Vithoot’ programme, which translates to ‘seed shower’, is designed to rehabilitate Kerala’s natural ecology and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. However, the endeavour has sparked off discussions about its potential risks, with specialists expressing apprehensions.
Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan called the initiative ‘novel’, ‘unparalleled’ and the first of its sort in the region, adding it aimed to promote public engagement in forest management. The department, criticised for the increasing occurrences of wildlife confrontations and associated fatalities, anticipates that this campaign would restore public trust, he noted.
Vithoot is a community effort facilitated by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, according to the department’s brief. It highlighted the essential contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly students from educational institutions.
Krishnan elucidated that their active participation in identifying, preparing, and spreading seeds was not merely necessary but crucial, constituting the foundation of this community endeavour.
The Vithoot effort relies on community engagement, meticulous planning, and the strategic application of technology, including drones and helicopters, as needed. Furthermore, arrangements have been established for cooperation with various agencies, including the Air Force, for forthcoming operations.
“These measures aim to guarantee the initiative’s success while mitigating potential ecological risks, fostering transparency, and ensuring readiness,” stated Krishnan.
The identification and collection of seeds have begun, with distribution planned for July and August.
The seeds, obtained from certified vendors, will undergo stringent quality assessments to confirm their suitability for the local ecosystem, the department informed.
“The plan emphasises the use of site-specific seeds aimed at rehabilitating the ecosystem, particularly in regions impacted by landslides, wildfires, abandoned plantations, open canopies, reservoir catchment areas, zones beneath power lines, and lands vacated by tribal communities after the discontinuation of agriculture,” stated the department’s approach paper.
The department aims to create microclimatic areas through community initiatives within this project, according to Krishnan. This effort mitigates human-wildlife conflict, addresses climate change, improves water security, and fosters forest health. Ultimately, these initiatives will guarantee food accessibility for both wildlife and humans, he said.
Considering Kerala’s unique and complex ecology, the programme will be customised to address particular ecological concerns, ensuring that only region-specific plants are planted to avert adverse effects.
The plan prioritises fruit-bearing trees, specific grass species such as bamboo, and seeds with potential for quick development. Initially, the effort will incorporate indigenous plants, shrubs, and herbs. In the forthcoming years, seeds of uncommon, endangered, and endemic species will be integrated. Plans for site-specific seed ball broadcasting will be formulated for the goal of rejuvenation. This project will initially concentrate on forest land but may subsequently expand to include paddy fields, agricultural lands, and other green areas.
Krishnan emphasised multiple advantages, including enhanced accessibility to non-timber forest products and wild fruits, underscoring the potential beneficial effects of the Vithoot effort and fostering a sense of hope and optimism among the people.
Department officials asserted that seed balls are an internationally acknowledged technique for reforestation and afforestation. They comprise a combination of soil, green compost, and seeds. The soil cover safeguards the seeds, extending their viability and withstanding weather variations.
However, specialists in the field advise prudence and moderation before Vithoot’s extensive deployment.
Although seed balls can be advantageous for sowing on arid or compacted soils and rehabilitating degraded land, they also include disadvantages. Not all seed balls will germinate successfully and dispersing them can be challenging in certain situations. Moreover, they exhibit sensitivity to environmental variables, rendering seed distribution impracticable in some circumstances.
Water is a prevalent component in seed ball formulations. Yet, numerous seeds initiate germination when exposed to wet conditions. K H Amitha Bachan, an ecological enthusiast with a decade of experience in forest research, conservation, and education, stated, “If the seed ball is not dispersed promptly or disintegrates under unfavourable conditions, the seeds may germinate prematurely, undermining their potential to thrive in the designated area and jeopardising the time and resources invested by volunteers in producing the seed balls.”
Even with the appropriate species, seed balls may be deposited in regions where those plants do not usually thrive. This introduces species into ecosystems that they would not have accessed without human intervention, potentially disturbing fragile ecological balances. “Seed balls may pose distribution challenges in regions with dense vegetation or deep undergrowth, hence diminishing their efficacy. Dropping seed balls from aircraft or elevated positions may harm the seedlings within, diminishing their survival prospects,” said Bachan.
“The seeds utilised in seed balls are not consistently scrutinised for compatibility with the local ecosystem. Non-native or invasive flora can outcompete native species, disrupt trophic networks, and have adverse effects on local animals,” observed C K Sudheer, a former divisional forest officer. He also noted that once established, the eradication of invasive plants can be exceedingly challenging.
Experts cautioned that the provenance of native seeds is essential, even when they are chosen. For example, Achillea millefolium (common yarrow) is indigenous to southern climates. Nonetheless, its utilisation requires careful consideration.
“Kerala possesses an abundance of natural and cultivated flora, and extensive cultivation could yield exceptional detrimental consequences. Are there any research or forecasts concerning the long-term implications of this proposed initiative? In Kerala, natural plants will spontaneously colonise unoccupied ground without human interference. Why, then, engage in an unsubstantiated initiative that may have significant, lasting consequences on the state’s ecology and welfare?” enquired Sudheer.
“Indeed, this may result in greater detriment than benefit. Unintentionally, invasive species may be introduced by this activity, resulting in catastrophic outcomes in the future,” stated P O Nameer, Dean of the College of Climate Change and Environmental Science, College of Forestry. “We are currently encountering problems due to invasive species such as Senna, Lantana, and Eupatorium,” he added.
“We have emphasised the importance of ecological restoration, highlighting that species selection should be grounded in a reference ecosystem model. This process requires monitoring. Diverse bioclimatic zones have distinct potential vegetation, which is not the same,”' stated Bachan.
“The rationale behind the department’s endorsement of this approach remains ambiguous,” he added.