Project-2 of Ramakrishna Mission-The Dedication of Miyawaki-Urban Forest
Mangaluru: Invented by and named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the ‘Miyawaki Method’ is a unique technique to grow forests. Under this approach, dozens of native species are planted in the same area, close to each other, which ensures that the plants receive sunlight only from the top, and grows upwards than the sideways. It requires very little space (a minimum of 20 square feet), plants grow ten times faster, and the forest becomes maintenance-free in three years! Ramakrishna Mission is aiming at developing 100 Miyawaki urban forests in the city.
Ramakrishna Mission with its Project-2 ‘MIYAWAKI-URBAN FOREST’ comprising of 56 varieties of 460 saplings provided by the Karnataka Forest Department was inaugurated by DK Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V, joined by Akshy Sridhar, MCC commissioner; Swami Jitamanandaji-Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru; P Sridhar-Range Forest Officer, Forest Dept Mangaluru; Ranga Rao- Site Head, Syngene, Mangaluru; and Ronald Mascarenhas- Head-HR, Administration-CSR, Syngene, Mangaluru at the math premises, by planting saplings and watering them. The urban forest is being developed under the CSR initiative of Syngene Biocon Foundation.
Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests. The approach is supposed to ensure that the plant growth is 10 times faster, and the resulting plantation 30 times denser than usual. It involves planting dozens of native species in the same area, and becomes maintenance free after the first three years. Stressing that Miyawaki forests are important in the present situation, Swami Jitakamanandaji, secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, said that the aim is to develop at least 100 such forests in the City.
Speaking on the occasion DC Dr Rajendra said, “We need to appreciate and compliment Ramakrishna Mission for their efforts in making this City Swachata, and now promoting more greenery through this Miyawaki-Urban Forest. This is a very good initiative and a good way to improve the green cover, especially in pockets of congested cities like parks, hospitals, institutions etc. Forests are very dense, which restricts the movement of any possible wildlife the forest might attract. Nothing can replace something that is very natural in its form, like natural forests, but these plantations can supplement and complement them. If Ramakrishna Mission needs any support from the district administration I am always ready to oblige”. Rajendra also stressed on conservation and cleanliness on the occasion.
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’ MCC Commissioner Akshy Sridhar mooted the idea of developing urban forests in open dumping yards. Stating that he is open for discussions on solving issues at Pachanady, the waste dump yard of MCC, he said the goal is to make Mangaluru a green city.
Range forest officer P Sridhar said that the responsibility of individuals does not end with only planting saplings. Nurturing them is also important. Sridhar, who recently recovered from Covid-19, said that people must realize the importance of oxygen, especially during the pandemic. Though there were plans to develop three other Miyawaki forests in the city, the pandemic has put these plans on hold. On the Ramakrishna Mission’s urban forest, he said that there is a provision to plant another 100 saplings.
Meanwhile, Mangala Resource Management Private Limited, a start Up by the volunteers of the mission, have reached out to 12 apartments (350 houses) and introduced pot-composting through which compost is prepared from the wet waste collected. Ramakrishna Mission is also looking for a solution to reduce waste generation, and solve the problems at the Pachanady landfill.
The welcome address was delivered by Swami Ekamanandaji, and the programme was compered by Mrs Smitha Pai
Hats off to the Ramakrishna Mission Monks for their Miyawaki Urban Forest drive. Out there in interior India in the tehesil of Warora in Chandrapur Zilla, serial entrepreneurs at Baba Amte’s Anandwan have been refilling ancient open quarries and using the Miyawaki method to create luxuriant forests, thereby adding to their long list of achievements on the MSS Anandwan CV.