Chennai: Miyawaki makes a mark

Chennai: Chennai, for the last few years, has seen a lot of initiatives from various quarters including the state government, non-governmental organisations and corporate companies for improving its green cover through the Miyawaki model pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.

The city dwellers woke up to the necessity of greenery just because the city came under 'very poor' air quality with Air Quality Index (AQI) of over 301.

The Chennai corporation administration, which is pushing this urban forest method to improve green cover, has been quite successful in galvanizing people to take up green initiatives. Recently, the corporation administration introduced the method in Kotturpuram and Royala Nagar in Ramapuram.

According to corporation commissioner G. Prakash, an urban forest will be created using the Miyawaki method by planting native saplings. The Japanese method turned popular among people as it ensures the plant growth 10 times faster and 30 times denser compared to other techniques. It will help in planting dozens of native species in the same area, and becomes maintenance-free after the first three years.

The method was actively pursued by the Chennai corporation after the government announced support for growing Miyawaki forests. Inspired by the efficacy of the method, S.P. Velumani, minister for municipal administration, rural development and implementation of special programme, announced last year that Miyawaki forests would be grown in Chennai.

"Miyawaki, a Japanese-densely-foliated green landscape, is being employed to reduce environmental pollution and improve air pollution in Chennai. For the first time, trees were planted in the land situated in Kotturpuram, Chennai," said the minister.