Citizen group looks to Japanese method to increase green cover
MUMBAI: In an attempt to curb pollution and increase green cover, citizen group Green Yatra has planted the city’s first urban forest using the Miyawaki technique. This technique is believed to boost rate of tree growth by 10 times and increase forest cover density by 30 times, compared to conventional forestry methods.
Developed by Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert, Dr Akira Miyawaki, the technique accommodates 45 saplings in an area, as opposed to traditional single-species plantation.
As part of the first phase, Green Yatra has planted 3,000 saplings of indigenous tree species – such as neem, karanj, kanchan, peepal, kadmab – across 10,000 sq ft at the Central Railside Warehouse Company Ltd premises, Jogeshwari (East) so far.
They have planted around four saplings per square metre, compared to the traditional practice of planting tress 10-15 feet apart.
Another 9,000 saplings will be planted over the next two months, said group members. “These 2-3 feet saplings can grow up to 20-foot trees in two years. This patch will become a dense urban forest,” said Pradeep Tripathi, founder, Green Yatra.
Experts said the project has been successful at two locations in Bengaluru. “This method is apt for a city like Mumbai, as it does not require much space,” said N Mohan Karnat from the Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru. Dr Pankaj Srivastava, director, Indian Institute of Forest Management said, “The method has been widely adopted to increase green cover in Japan. The main focus should be planting coastal native trees and results should be positive. It will open up a new avenue for urban plantations across the country.”