In News
- The Japanese “Miyawaki method” used in Kuharianwali village of Punjab in one acre of unused land has grown into a “forest” in less than a year.
- The village has become a trendsetter in expanding forest cover.
Miyawaki Technique
- About:
- Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests in a short time.
- In the Miyawaki technique, various native species of plants are planted close to each other so that the greens receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards rather than sideways.
- As a result, the plantation becomes approximately 30 times denser, grows 10 times faster and becomes maintenance-free after a span of 3 years.
- Process:
- The native trees of the region are identified and divided into four layers — shrub, sub-tree, tree, and canopy.
- The quality of soil is analyzed and biomass which would help enhance the perforation capacity, water retention capacity, and nutrients in it, is mixed with it.
- A mound is built with the soil and the seeds are planted at a very high density — three to five sapling per square meter.
- The ground is covered with a thick layer of mulch.
Benefits of the Miyawaki method
- They help lower temperatures in concrete heat islands, reduce air and noise pollution, attract local birds and insects, and create carbon sinks.
- The Miyawaki afforestation method requires quite a small space, at least 20 square feet.
- It has revolutionised the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forests.
How can the Miyawaki method transform Indian cities?
- Miyawaki projects have been buoyed by India’s promise, under the Paris Agreement, to improve its green cover from 25 to 33 percent.
- A rough count reveals that there are over a hundred Miyawaki forests in India, but no one has kept track.
Source:IE
