Miyawaki Method: Miyawaki is a method created by a Japanese botanist named Akira Miyawaki. It helps forests grow quickly and become thick and natural. The process involves improving the soil by covering it with mulch, which also helps prevent dryness, erosion, and weed growth. Native trees are then identified and planted in the area. This method involves planting many different types of trees close together, which creates a balanced and cooperative environment among the species. The result is that plants grow 10 times faster and the forest becomes 30 times denser than usual.
Miyawaki forest plantation
Unlike commercial forestry,in Miyawaki Forestry, only native varieties of plants are selected in specific ratios and sequences, creating multilayer, maintenance-free forests and 100 percent self-sustainable ecosystems. In India, this method is slowly gaining momentum and is already in practice in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru.
Miyawaki uses only local species. The forests blend with the local ecosystem, last longer and can exist in urban spaces. The growth of Miyawaki forests in many patches in and around Bengaluru has helped increase the city’s green cover and generated a lot of optimism.Miyawaki is a Japanese technique of growing dense plantations in a short time. The method is being extensively used in and around Bengaluru by activists, corporate firms as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, and even individuals.
PM in his Mann Ki Baat said, “My dear countrymen, it is the nature of us Indians to be always ready to welcome new ideas. We love our things and also imbibe new things. An example of this is – Japan’s technique Miyawaki; if the soil at some place has not been fertile, then the Miyawaki technique is a very good way to make that area green again. Miyawaki forests spread rapidly and become biodiversity spots in two to three decades. This is now spreading very fast in different parts of India too. Shriman Raafi Ramnath, a teacher from Kerala, changed the scenario of the area with this technique. Actually, Ramnath ji wanted to explain deeply about nature and environment to his students. For this, he went to the extent of creating a herbal garden. His garden has now become a Biodiversity Zone. This success of his inspired him even more. After this, Raafi ji grew a mini forest with the Miyawaki technique and named it – ‘Vidyavanam’.
Now only a teacher can come up with such a beautiful name – ‘Vidyavanam’. In the tiny space in this Vidyavanam of Ramnathji, over 450 trees of 115 varieties were planted. His students also help him in their maintenance. School children from the neighbourhood & common citizens throng in hordes to view this beautiful place. Miyawaki forests can be easily grown anywhere, even in cities. Some time ago, I inaugurated a Miyawaki forest in Kevadia, Ekta Nagar in Gujarat. In Kutch too, in the memory of the people who died in the 2001 earthquake, a Smriti-Van has been built in the Miyawaki style. Its success in a place like Kutch shows how effective this technology is, even in the toughest of natural environments. Similarly, saplings have been planted in Ambaji and Pavagadh by the Miyawaki method. I have come to know that a Miyawaki garden is also being created in Aliganj, Lucknow.
In the last four years, work has been done on more than 60 such forests in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. Now this technique is being appreciated all over the world. It is being used extensively in many countries like Singapore, Paris, Australia, and Malaysia. I would urge the countrymen, especially those living in cities, to make an effort to learn about the Miyawaki method. Through this, you can make an invaluable contribution to making our earth and nature green and clean.”
