{
  "id": 1058445,
  "title": "HML uses drone seeding to restore 15 acres of eucalyptus land in Idukki",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/hml-uses-drone-seeding-to-restore-15-acres-of-eucalyptus-land-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T14:56:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/hml-uses-drone-seeding-to-restore-15-acres-of-eucalyptus-land-in-idukki/article71350064.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Harrisons Malayalam Limited (HML), a tea plantation company, has pioneered the use of drone seeding technology to restore 15 acres of eucalyptus land near the Peerumade hills in Idukki. The restoration, which involved the deployment of a 24-species native assemblage of trees, shrubs, herbs, and lianas, was carried out at the Pattumallay Estate. The seeds, sourced from the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) seed bank, included Terminalia bellirica, Spondias pinnata, Albizia falcataria, Phyllanthus emblica, and Wrightia tinctoria. HML vice-president Anil George highlighted that the drone-seeding technology ensured effective distribution of the seeds, reduced labor costs, improved coverage uniformity, and minimized soil disturbance. Post-restoration, a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment (RBA) was conducted, confirming the presence of 24 native species in the area, indicating that the soil was capable of supporting natural regeneration. The eucalyptus monocultures had, however, depleted soil moisture, suppressed undergrowth, and reduced native biodiversity. HML also recently deployed drone-based transport for moving freshly harvested green leaves from tea fields to weighment centres and processing factories at the Lockhart Estate near Devikulam in Munnar.",
  "summary": "Harrisons Malayalam deploys aerial seeding with 24 native species at Pattumallay Estate, aiming to restore biodiversity while reducing labour costs and soil disturbance",
  "key_points": [
    "HML uses drone seeding to restore 15 acres of eucalyptus land in Idukki.",
    "24-species native assemblage of trees, shrubs, herbs, and lianas planted.",
    "Drone-seeding technology ensures effective distribution and reduces labor costs."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}