Miyawaki Technique Used to Create Dense Forests in Prayagraj

Context:

In preparation for Mahakumbh 2025, dense forests have been developed at various locations across Prayagraj utilizing the Miyawaki Technique. 

More on the news:

• These green spaces are being developed to provide fresh air and a healthy environment for the millions of people expected to visit the city for Mahakumbh 2025.
• The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has worked on converting garbage dumps into green forests. 
• The biggest project took place in the Naini industrial area, where around 1.2 lakh trees from 63 species were planted. 
• Another major initiative in Baswar saw the planting of 27,000 trees from 27 species after the area’s largest garbage dump was cleaned. 
• This project is not only helping to get rid of industrial waste but is also reducing dust, dirt, and bad odour. 

What is the Miyawaki Technique?

• The Miyawaki technique was developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s.
• This method is designed to create dense forests in small spaces also known as the “pot plantation method”. 
• Plants grow up to 10 times faster using this method as compared to traditional techniques. 
• In this, Trees and shrubs are planted very close together, which speed up their growth. 
• This method mimics natural forest ecosystems by using a mix of native species. 
• Trees planted using the Miyawaki technique absorb more carbon and support a wider variety of plants and animals than conventional forests. 

Advantages of Miyawaki forests 

• The Miyawaki method helps balance the temperature fluctuations between day and night, especially in the summer. 
• They help in reducing both air and water pollution, preventing soil erosion, and promoting biodiversity by supporting a variety of plants and animals.
• Large forests developed by this method can even lower the surrounding temperature by 4 to 7 degrees Celsius.
• Miyawaki forests have also proven effective for specific purposes, like providing tsunami protection and stabilising mine dump slopes.
• In urban settings, this technique can transform polluted and barren lands into green ecosystems.