Context: 

Recently, Coal/Lignite PSUs have adopted the Miyawaki plantation method to transform Landscapes for the Benefit of Coal Communities under sustainable greening initiatives. 

About Miyawaki Technique

• The Miyawaki technique is a unique way to grow forests and restore nature, created by a Japanese botanist, Akira Miyawaki.
• Its main goal is to make more green areas in a small space by growing a dense forest in just ten years, which usually takes a hundred years.

Features Of Miyawaki Technique

• Cultivating multi-layered forests involves cultivating multi-layered forests that grow rapidly.
  • This type of cultivation mimics the natural biodiversity of native forests.
• The method includes planting two to four varieties per square meter.
  • In the cultivation process, only those largely self-sustaining plants are selected.
    • It reduces the need for regular maintenance like fertilisation and watering.

Benefits of the Miyawaki Plantation

• Mitigation of the ecological impact of mining activities 
• Restoration of biodiversity
• Enhance ecosystem services
• Creation of carbon sinks.
• Creating and offering livelihood opportunities for local communities 
• Sustainable development Promotion 
• In this technique, the interdependence among plants supports the growth of each other
  • It causes trees to grow much faster using this method compared to the conventional ways.

Drawbacks of Miyawaki Technique

• Decreased Tree Variety: In this plantation method, some trees such as Timber trees are mainly preferred which causes a decrease in the variety of tree types found naturally.
• Suitability Limitation: This afforestation technique is suitable for suburban or urban areas with limited space but is unsuitable for tropical regions.
• Disruption of Natural Ecosystem:  The natural wildlife movement is limited due to the narrow spaces between trees which disrupts the natural flow of the ecosystem.
• Uncertainty in Rainfall Impact: The effectiveness of rainfall brought by Miyawaki forest trees remains uncertain.

News Source: PIB

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