Displaying a sensible approach towards the environment, the ‘Young India Group’ in Chhattisgarh’s capital, Raipur, has developed a mini-forest through the Japanese ‘Miyawaki’ method.
The ‘Miyawaki’ method requires a small space where saplings are planted very closely so that they allow young trees to protect each other and block sunlight from hitting the forest’s ground.
The key attraction of this mini-forest is over 2,500 saplings of various varieties, including mango, neem, banyan, medicinal plants, and others, planted in a land area measuring around 5,000 square feet at Gandhi Udyan in Raipur. Compared to other plantations, the Miyawaki forest absorbs 30 percent more carbon dioxide from the environment.
To deal with increasing air pollution in the city, the volunteers of Young India Group planted saplings at Gandhi Udyan through the Miyawaki method in September 2023, which turned into a mini-forest in less than one year. With support from the district administration, the volunteers of Young India Group are formulating a concrete action plan to develop more such mini-forests through the Japanese method.
The state government is making efforts to contribute to the environment by developing oxygen and Krishna Kunj, but through this concept, Young India Group is attempting to ensure the plantation of maximum plants in less space so that pollution can be reduced and the environment can get more oxygen, said Paramjeet Singh, a member of Young India Group.
Praising the group’s effort, the state government has also helped, he added.
The state government is extending support to the group in this initiative, and under this campaign, the government is providing a specific area inside a garden to us so that plantations can be carried out through the Japanese method, said Singh.
As everyone knows, plants inhale carbon dioxide and release oxygen; therefore, efforts are being made to plant the maximum number of plants, said pulmonologist Dr. Devi Jyoti Das.
Praising the effort, the doctor said that this significant move will not just enrich the environment with more oxygen; instead, it will have other benefits. Moreover, the pure air will be helpful in curbing common lung-related allergies.
Under this initiative, Miyawaki forests have been developed at three places in Raipur, including Gandhi Udyan, and planning is underway to develop them in other places as well, said Commissioner of Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) Avinash Mishra.
The concept is very much needed in urban areas, added the RMC commissioner.
Speaking about the benefits, the officer said that this is a native forest, and due to this, it grows at a faster speed. Moreover, the survival rate of the plantation is very high and very suitable for the development of mini-forests. This concept will be replicated in more areas.