SLAF Command Agro Unit Continues Operations of Monitoring the Outcome of Seed Bombing
1:44pm on Tuesday 21st July 2020
The Sri Lanka Air Force, under the leadership and initiative of the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sumangala Dais, conducted seed bombing operations at Ranorawa Government Forest, Nochchiyagama and Lahugala National Park, Ampara.
The SLAF has been actively involved in a number of efforts to restore the forest cover of Sri Lanka. The involvement of the SLAF in the pioneering seed bombing projects is a continuation and reaffirmation of its commitment to this endeavor. Even though the SLAF is entrusted with the protection of national security through the judicious use of Air Power it is happy to be able to bring that air power to bear in a truly, timely and essential enterprise, in order to fulfil its part to ensure a green world to our future generations.
The Command Agro Unit of SLAF in Collaboration with University of Peradeniya, MAS Capital (Pvt) Ltd, Forest Department and Central Environment Authority joined hands in the project to increase the forest cover of the county to achieve the sustainable development goal of Sri Lanka by increasing the green cover from the present 27% to 32%.
The First Seed bombing operation in Sri Lankan history was conducted on 12 December 2018 at Ranorawa Government Forest, Nochchiyagama. Approximately five thousand seed bombs were dropped in a five acre land using MI 17 helicopter which took off from SLAF Base Anuradapura. Seeds bombs of three different varieties of Karada, Kubuk and Mee were dropped on the selected land area. The second seed bombing operation was conducted on 29 and 30 October 2019 at Lahugala National Park Ampara. Approximately sixty seven thousand seed bombs were dropped in a sixty acre land area by employing an MI 17 helicopter which took off from SLAF Station Ampara. Six different types of seeds were used in the second seed bombing operation respectively as Maila, Koon, Galsiyabala, Aralu, Ehala and Godakirilla since it suited the dry zone environment.
Continuous supervision, data gathering and recording are being conducted by the Command Agro Unit to monitor the progress of seed bombing projects. Almost seven site visits have been carried out to Ranorawa seed bombing site and it was observed most of Karada Plants have germinated and are growing well even in server drought weather conditions of the dry zone and the plants have adapted well to the changing environmental conditions. Two site visits were carried out to the Lahugala seed bombing site and it was observed that most of the seed bombs are still germinating with the existing natural conditions. It is planned to carry out a third seed bombing operation in the months of October and November with the North East Monsoon rainy seasons in the Eastern Jungles. The Command Agro Unit is working closely with Professor DKNP Pushpakumara, officials of forest Department, Central Environment Authority and MAS CAPITAL to continue this worthwhile cause.
The SLAF has been actively involved in a number of efforts to restore the forest cover of Sri Lanka. The involvement of the SLAF in the pioneering seed bombing projects is a continuation and reaffirmation of its commitment to this endeavor. Even though the SLAF is entrusted with the protection of national security through the judicious use of Air Power it is happy to be able to bring that air power to bear in a truly, timely and essential enterprise, in order to fulfil its part to ensure a green world to our future generations.
The Command Agro Unit of SLAF in Collaboration with University of Peradeniya, MAS Capital (Pvt) Ltd, Forest Department and Central Environment Authority joined hands in the project to increase the forest cover of the county to achieve the sustainable development goal of Sri Lanka by increasing the green cover from the present 27% to 32%.
The First Seed bombing operation in Sri Lankan history was conducted on 12 December 2018 at Ranorawa Government Forest, Nochchiyagama. Approximately five thousand seed bombs were dropped in a five acre land using MI 17 helicopter which took off from SLAF Base Anuradapura. Seeds bombs of three different varieties of Karada, Kubuk and Mee were dropped on the selected land area. The second seed bombing operation was conducted on 29 and 30 October 2019 at Lahugala National Park Ampara. Approximately sixty seven thousand seed bombs were dropped in a sixty acre land area by employing an MI 17 helicopter which took off from SLAF Station Ampara. Six different types of seeds were used in the second seed bombing operation respectively as Maila, Koon, Galsiyabala, Aralu, Ehala and Godakirilla since it suited the dry zone environment.
Continuous supervision, data gathering and recording are being conducted by the Command Agro Unit to monitor the progress of seed bombing projects. Almost seven site visits have been carried out to Ranorawa seed bombing site and it was observed most of Karada Plants have germinated and are growing well even in server drought weather conditions of the dry zone and the plants have adapted well to the changing environmental conditions. Two site visits were carried out to the Lahugala seed bombing site and it was observed that most of the seed bombs are still germinating with the existing natural conditions. It is planned to carry out a third seed bombing operation in the months of October and November with the North East Monsoon rainy seasons in the Eastern Jungles. The Command Agro Unit is working closely with Professor DKNP Pushpakumara, officials of forest Department, Central Environment Authority and MAS CAPITAL to continue this worthwhile cause.
