Bengaluru: For the uninitiated, aerial seeding is a technique in which seeds are sown aerially with the help of drones or helicopters. 

The Indian Navy precisely did this in Visakhapatnam as it partnered with Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. 

Two UH3H helicopters with 2 tons of seed balls undertook the aerial seeding on Friday. The Naval helicopters airdropped 50,000 seed balls weighing approx. 6.25 tonnes in five locations around Visakhapatnam covering an area of nearly 200 acres which are inaccessible by road necessitating aerial seeding.

Advantages of aerial seeding: 

Aerial seeding is a blessing in the sense that it helps cover a very large area which is inaccessible otherwise. 
It also saves a lot of time. 

Why helicopters are preferred: 

There was some debate regarding the usage of the aircraft for the purpose. Should it be a helicopter or should it be an aeroplane? Experts vouch for a helicopter because of the blades it has and the wind it generates. It is noted that the wind generated by the blades help demolish the canopy and open up space for seeds to enter the soil in greater numbers.