Miyawaki Process

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