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Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Forests and Environment Minister Pawan Kalyan launched a drive to make 2.5 crore seed balls at the Butterfly Park in Mulapadu, NTR district, on World Environment Day, Friday (June 5, 2026). He made seed balls himself, alongside public representatives, officials, self-help group women, students and members of voluntary organisations.

The seed balls are being made with indigenous seeds, including Ankudu (Wrightia tinctoria), neem, peepal, banyan, gooseberry and Moduga, at 300 locations across the State.

Mr. Kalyan had an interaction with the participants involved in the preparation of the seed balls, and urged the people to contribute to the conservation of forests. He congratulated children who explained the importance of seed balls.

On the occasion, he directed the officials to ensure that the target (of making 2.5 crore seed balls) was achieved by June 15. He later watched seed balls being dispersed on hilltops by drones.

He visited the stalls set up by the Forest Department, and instructed the officials to have a yoga hall constructed in every eco-tourism park.

Later, Mr. Kalyan inspected the Tellaponiki logs used in the manufacturing of Kondapalli wooden toys.

He showed keen interest in the Kondapalli toys and kitchenware such as glasses and ladles made from Nirudu, Billa Nirudu and neem wood by artisans from Udayagiri. He was impressed by the wooden watches and laptops crafted by the artisans.

Responding to the requests by artisans from Chittoor to take steps for making wood used in toy-making easily available, Mr. Kalyan said he would get a plan worked out for setting up a wood bank. He also said he would work to provide marketing and publicity for their craft, and directed officials to arrange for him to meet handicraft artisans in one region every two months.

Mylavaram MLA Vasantha Krishna Prasad, Principal Secretary (Environment & Forests) Kanthilal Dande, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, P.V. Chalapathi Rao, Forest Department advisor Mallikarjuna Rao and NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha were among those present.