Miyawaki Forests
News:
- PM talked about the Miyawaki method in his latest ‘Mann ki baat’ episode.
- He spoke of Raafi Ramnath, a teacher from Kerala, who developed the Vidyavanam- a mini forest with 115 varieties of trees on a barren land.
What:
- It is a Japanese method for creating dense urban forests in small areas.
Why:
- To increase the green cover in urban areas.
Pros:
- Self-sustaining
- Doesn’t require regular maintenance such as watering or manuring
- Cost effective
- Helps capture dust particles, thus reducing pollution
- Helps regulate surface temperature
How:
- Planting 2-4 different indigenous tree species within every square metre.
- Some of the commonly used trees include- Amala, Anjan, Arjun, Bel and Gunj.
- Within 3 years, these trees become self-sustaining and grow to their full length.
Who:
- Named after Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist.
Where:
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is creating such urban forests in parts of Mumbai.
When:
- This was developed in the 1970s.
