• In a bid to boost forest cover in the coal belt region of Chhattisgarh, Coal India Ltd subsidiary, South Eastern Coalfileds Ltd (SECL) will undertake plantation using the Miyawaki method for the first time in its operational areas.
• The plantation using the Miyawaki technique will be carried out over a period of two years in which about 20,000 saplings will be planted.
• The plantation will include big plants such as Bargad, Peepal, Aam, Jamun etc, medium plants such as Karanj, Amla, Ashok etc, and small plants such as Kaner, Gudhal, Trikoma, Ber, Anjeer, Nimbu etc.

It was developed in the 1970s to densify green cover within a small parcel of land.

ABOUT MIYAWAKI METHOD

• It was named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki
• It involves planting native trees, shrubs and groundcover plants within every square meter to create a dense canopy layer of tall trees in small land parcels.
• The plants used in the Miyawaki method are mostly self-sustaining and don’t require regular maintenance like manuring and watering.
• In this method, the trees become self-sustaining and they grow to their full length within three years.
• Advantages- Forests grow rapidly; Utility in urban forestry; increase carbon sequestration, reduce air and noise pollution and attract local birds and insects.