India’s forest cover is depleting at a fast pace and restoring it to the much needed 33% will involve the efforts of citizens. Therefore, it is commendable that two friends Uttkarsh Gangwar and Chitra Chauhan have designed very effective seed balls that can easily grow into trees. All one needs to do is throw the seed balls into the soil and it is certain to sprout.

Beej Balls

Beej balls are seed balls that contain seeds of trees and plants. Each ball has around three seeds mixed and coated with manure, soil, coco peat, mud, and clay. While the clay keeps everything in place and manure aids growth, the presence of three seeds guarantees 100 percent germination. These balls are then packed into boxes of 10 each. In one year, the duo has sold more than 32,000 boxes which means more than three lakh trees have been planted. These boxes are sought after big companies that use them for corporate gifting. Some environment-conscious citizens have bought them to give as return gifts at weddings.

Employment Opportunities

As the beej balls are rolled manually, this enterprise has been able to provide employment opportunities to rural and underprivileged women. Utkarsh states that they identify women who are unskilled, enter into a contractual employment with them and train them to make beej balls. The women are paid Rs 300-350 for a day of work.  Thus women who otherwise lack opportunities are able to earn their livelihood.

This social enterprise by Utkarsh and Chitra not only will helps restore the green cover, but also provides employment opportunities to many.

Image Source: YourStory