Miyawaki Plantations

To achieve dense forest cover in a short span, the government of Telangana has implemented the Miyawaki Plantation method, developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. The technique requires leaves very little gap between the saplings, allowing them to grow at a pace 10 times faster than natural forests, creating forest cover within 20-30 years, unlike conventional methods that take up to 300 years. Using indigenous plants, TKHH has revolutionised the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forests to compensate for losses in green cover for agricultural and developmental reasons.

Traditionally developed to protect green cover in low-lying areas from natural calamities, the method needs native trees of the region to be identified and divided into four layers namely shrub, sub-tree, tree, and canopy. The quality of soil is then analyzed for water retention capacity and nutrients, and are treated to meet requirements. A mound is built with the soil and the seeds are planted at a very high density — three to five saplings per square meter — on a ground covered with a thick layer of mulch. Such fast-growing plantations can be used for wood lots, recreational uses like bird watching, bushwalking, and wildflower appreciation. The high-density planting method has been highly successful as observed in Yadadri district, resulting in a thick forest cover within a year of plantation. These micro-forests are also self-sustainable, improve biodiversity and conserve soil and water in the area.

HYDERABAD METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Swarna Jayanti Complex, Sanjeetva Reddy Nagar Rd, Srinivasa Nagar, Ameerpet, Hyderabad - 500082, Telangana, India eMail : applicantsupport@hmda.gov.in, cfc@hmda.gov.in | HMDA LRS HELP DESK: 27018115, 27018116, 27018117 Toll Free : 18004258838