- During his most recent ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast, the Prime Minister discussed Miyawaki plantation, a Japanese way of generating thick urban woods in a compact area. The Miyawaki Method
- The Miyawaki method is a method of urban afforestation that involves transforming backyards into mini-forests.
- It entails planting trees as close together as possible in the same location, which not only saves space, but also supports each other in growth and blocks sunlight from reaching the ground, reducing weed growth.
- Thus, after three years, the saplings are maintenance-free (self-sustaining).
- It aids in the creation of a forest in 20 to 30 years, whereas conventional methods require 200 to 300 years.
The technique
- The region’s natural trees are identified and classified into four layers: shrub, sub-tree, tree, and canopy.
- The soil’s quality is assessed, then biomass is mixed in to help improve its perforation capacity, water retention capacity, and nutrient content.
- The earth is compacted into a mound, and the seeds are sown at a high density – three to five saplings per square metre.
- A heavy layer of mulch covers the ground.
Source: https://www.sugiproject.com/blog/the-miyawaki-method-for-creating-forests#:~:text=The%20Miyawaki%20method%20mimics%20the,specific%20climate%20condition%2C%20are%20planted.