With reference to Kerala’s ‘Vithoot’ Afforestation Programme, consider the following statements: 1. The programme involves aerial seed ball distribution, supported by drones and helicopters, to restore degraded landscapes. 2. Community participation, especially of students in seed preparation and distribution, is a core feature of the initiative. 3. The programme focuses exclusively on introducing non-native commercial species to maximize forest productivity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• Statement 1 – Correct:  Kerala’s ‘Vithoot’ afforestation project uses aerial seed ball distribution with the help of drones and helicopters, even supported by the Air Force. This enhances efficiency and allows seed dispersal in otherwise inaccessible areas. • Statement 2 – Correct:  The initiative strongly emphasizes community participation, particularly engaging students in seed preparation and distribution, to foster ecological responsibility. • Statement 3 – Incorrect:  The programme does not focus exclusively on non-native species. Instead, it prioritizes indigenous species, with plans to include endemic and endangered varieties in future phases. Experts have, however, cautioned against careless introduction of non-native plants.  Hence, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.