Jaipur, A group of women in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district is using traditional slingshots to scatter seed balls across rocky and barren stretches of the Aravalli hills in an effort to restore green cover in areas difficult to reach through conventional plantation.
The women trek into hilly and forest areas during the monsoon and use slingshots to propel balls made of soil, organic manure and seeds towards slopes and hilltops that are difficult or risky to access by foot. Women and schoolchildren have also been trained to prepare seed balls and use slingshots for dispersing them. “Environmental conservation does not always require huge resources.
She said that women associated with the initiative devote time to environmental conservation after completing their household work. District coordinator Meenal Paliwal said the balls are prepared using soil, cow dung and an organic mixture and contain seeds of different local species. “Seed balls also contain locally suitable species such as peepal, rohida, sheesham and karanj, she said. Thousands of students, youths, villagers and environment enthusiasts have been associated with the campaign over the years, she said. Participation of local people and small efforts can also bring about significant change,” Paliwal said.
