Mini forests coming up at 75 Fazilka villages to save the environment
FEROZEPUR: To enhance the green cover of Fazilka district, mini-forests are being developed in 75 local villages, using the Miyawaki technique, under the My Village-My Forest Project.
Miyawaki technique, named after Japanese botanist and plant ecologist Akira Miyawaki, is an urban afforestation method which advocates planting more trees in a small space as saplings planted in close proximity grow rapidly as they compete for light.
Fazilka deputy commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said, “As clean environment is the need of the hour, and trees are crucial to achieve this, we have started this project on panchayat lands. Last year, mini-forests were planted in Kuharianwali and Haripura villages, which showed excellent results and motivated the department to plan this green project.” Fazilka additional deputy commissioner (development) Sagar Setia said, “So far this year, against the target of afforestation in 75 villages, trees have been planted on four kanals in Chak Banwala village, 1 acre in Banawali, 1.5 acres in Pakkan, three kanals in Rana village, one acre in Khuikhera, while work is under progress in other villages.” “This project, being run under the MGNREGA, would not only provide employment to people but also clean air to future generations. Three dozen varieties of locally grown plants, including bird attracting and medicinal plants etc, are being planted,” he further said.
“This project will give our village its own forest, which would be a matter of pride for us,” said Rajesh Babbar, sarpanch of Rana village.