SL Air Force drops seed bombs over the Labugasdamana forest reserve
November 01, 2023The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) dropped 80,000 seed bombs over an area of 50 acres under the 8th phase of its seed bombing project. An MI - 17 helicopter was utilized to drop these seed bombs over the target area in the Labugasdamana forest reservation in Anuradhapura over two days (Oct. 30 & 31), says SLAF media.
Taking reforestation to new ‘heights’, the SL Air Force, in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture of the Peradeniya University, Central Environment Authority, Department of Forest Conservation and MAS Holdings has undertaken this ambitious project to increase the forest cover in the country, it says.
These seed bombs contain seeds of native trees such as Kon (Schleicher oleosa), Kohomba (Azadirachta indica), Maila (Bauhinia racemose), Ma Dan (Syzygium cumini), Siyambala (Tamarindus indica), Mee (Madhuca longifolia), Palu (Manilkara hexandra), Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna), Kayaa (Swietenia macrophylla), Bulu (Terminalia belerica), Kithul (Caryota urens), Munamal (Mimusops elengi), Karanda (Millettia pinnata) and Ketakala (Bridilia retusa).
The initial phase saw 5,000 seed bombs being dropped on a 5 acre block in the Ranorawa government forest. Subsequently, the amount was increased and 100,000 seed bombs were dropped over an 80 acre block of land in the Wattegama forest in Kebilitta.
Aerial seed bombing is carried out over forest areas mostly accessible by air and during monsoon season which increases the chances of survival of the seeds.
