Indian Navy and GVMC Collaborate to Increase Greenery in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Indian Navy and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) have joined forces to improve greenery in and around the port city from October 2 onwards.

The city currently has 20 per cent greenery.

Municipal commissioner C.M. Saikant Varma organised a meeting with Indian Navy captain Raj Kumar Sattar and commando Deepak Singh, apart from horticulture officials, on how greenery within the city and its environs can be increased.

The meeting decided to take advantage of recent rains to drop seed balls from air, so that they could germinate in wild and open areas, where there is not much greenery. Each seed ball is a self-contained mini-ecosystem, consisting of three seeds – one flower, one fruit, and one plant. They would germinate once they hit and spread over the ground.

Commissioner Varma said coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti celebrations on October 2, Naval helicopters will drop seed balls over the iconic seven hills within Visakhapatnam's city limits. To start with, the seed balls will be dropped over Kapulu Pupada, Simhachalam Konda, Meghadri and Yarada.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a horticulture official emphasised state government’s commitment to creating a greener environment in areas with limited green cover. Aerial dropping will cover much larger areas, with seeds germinating because of increased moisture in soil because of rains They

The official also appealed to travellers and those going on drives to collect these seeds from their department and sow them in areas lacking greenery.