Kerala set to adopt Miyawaki-style afforestation to rebuild state after floods

 After a few individuals in Kerala tried and tested the method successfully in urban and semi-urban areas, they decided to adopt the Miyawaki-style afforestation method in the state

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government is all set to adopt the Miyawaki method of afforestation in the state. This method will be adopted in schools, residential complexes, government buildings and revenue land in the state.

Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki popularised the Miyawaki method. This method was used to grow mini forests in urban areas or land destroyed by natural calamities in Japan.

After a few individuals in the state tried and tested the method successfully in urban and semi-urban areas, they decided to adopt the technique in the state.  Forest department is the nodal agency in the state for this project. Each department has also been asked to appoint nodal officers in the state and district levels, according to reports.

While the Miyawaki method was successful in growing mini forests in areas destroyed by natural calamities and the coastlines of Japan, in Kerala — which has suffered floods, landslides and soil erosion over the last few years — this assumes greater significance with the ‘Rebuild Kerala’ initiative.

According to reports, with the support of an NGO, the Miyawaki method has so far been replicated in 15 places in the state. An estimated cost of Rs 1 lakh has been determined for growing Miyawaki forests. With this method, it is even possible to grow native species on land as small as 600 square feet by planting the saplings very close to each other.