On August 17, the Forest Department organized a Van Mahotsav programme in the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district. The event featured the planting of approximately 6,000 saplings using the Miyawaki method across five sites, including the collectorate premises.
Objective of Miyawaki Method
Manendragarh Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Manish Kashyap highlighted the main objective of employing the Miyawaki method: to combat urban heat islands and pollution. This method, utilized in large metro cities, involves planting trees at a distance of one meter to create dense forests. This dense greenery aids in providing cleaner air, absorbing 30 times more carbon dioxide, and significantly reducing air and noise pollution.
Benefits and Implementation
The Miyawaki technique is particularly beneficial in transforming vacant spaces into mini forests. This year, the method was introduced to address the prolonged heatwave experienced in Manendragarh. The DFO explained that the Miyawaki method allows for rapid plant growth—ten times faster than traditional methods. By the end of this Van Mahotsav, five Miyawaki plantations were established in the Manendragarh Forest Division, with future plans to use vacant spaces throughout the city for similar plantations.
Financial and Future Plans
The DFO mentioned plans to integrate the Miyawaki plantation drive with MNREGA to secure funding, as the forest department currently lacks a separate budget for this initiative.
Inauguration and Technique Details
Cabinet Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal inaugurated the plantation event by personally planting saplings using the Miyawaki method. The technique, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, involves planting native wild plants at a 1×1 meter distance. This close spacing creates competition among plants, accelerating their growth and establishing a mini forest within 2-3 years, thus mitigating the urban heat island effect and cooling the environment.
Success Stories and Future Prospects
The DFO noted successful implementation of the Miyawaki method in the Kanker district’s Bhanupratappur block, where a mini forest was developed in just four years. Other locations with Miyawaki plantations include Janjgir, Naya Raipur, and Raigarh. The DFO also mentioned that DFOs in Durg and Kawardha are exploring similar projects for their regions.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What was the primary objective of using the Miyawaki method during the Van Mahotsav?
- A) To beautify public parks
- B) To combat urban heat islands and pollution
- C) To increase forest revenue
- D) To enhance recreational areas
- How does the Miyawaki method compare to traditional planting techniques?
- A) Trees grow slower and need more space
- B) Trees grow ten times faster and need less space
- C) Trees grow at the same rate but require more maintenance
- D) Trees grow at the same rate but are more expensive
- How soon can a mini forest be established using the Miyawaki method?
- A) 1 year
- B) 2-3 years
- C) 5 years
- D) 10 years
- Who inaugurated the Miyawaki plantation event in Manendragarh?
- A) DFO Manish Kashyap
- B) Akira Miyawaki
- C) Cabinet Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal
- D) The Chief Minister of the State
- What future plans does the DFO have for Miyawaki plantations?
- A) To abandon the project due to high costs
- B) To expand the project to all vacant city spaces and link it with MNREGA for funding
- C) To use the method only in rural areas
- D) To switch to a different planting technique