Miyawaki Forest Development Programme
We started Miyawaki Forest Development Programme in 2019. Mr. Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist, developed the unique Miyawaki technique of creating dense forest from native plant species in a short period of time, and this can be implemented across the world. PEF’s Field Team has been keen in this technique and has implemented two successful projects at Shirala. The objective of proposing this technique is to promote afforestation against massive deforestation occurring in the western parts of Maharashtra.
Project 1: Dr. Jadhav's Miyawaki Forest
PEF started first Miyawaki Forest Project at Siddhivinayak Nagar, 32 Shirala with a nature enthusiastic couple Dr. Nitin Jadhav and Dr. Krushna Jadhav in July 2019. The project area is 8000 sq. ft and is divided in three parts: 1. Miyawaki Forest, 2. Fruiting Plot, 3. Butterfly Garden. The project completed one year in July 2020 and we celebrated first birthday of our Forest on 5th July 2020. The project is composed of more than 60 species of plants and around 600 plants. The forest has shown tremendous growth. It has grown from 2-3ft to 12-15ft of height within one year. The forest has good canopy cover and is serving habitat for local biodiversity. In the first year’s biodiversity survey we have recorded 41 species of birds, 2 mammal species, 4 reptile species, 11 amphibian species, and 34 butterfly species in the forest.
Project 2: Dr. Yadav's Miyawaki Forest
We started 2nd Miyawaki Forest in May 2020 with Dr. Dipak Yadav and Dr. Manisha Yadav near Bypass road, 32 Shirala. The area of the project is 20,000 sq. ft. We have planted 550 saplings of 56 native plant species in this project. 32 volunteers from Shirala participated and helped in the plantation work. The project has successfully completed its two important phase of soil preparation and plantation. The forest has grown up to the average height of 3ft to 4ft in last five months. The project team will continue monitoring and maintaining the forest. Mulching and drip irrigation stage will be implemented in Oct-Dec 2020. Project team will conduct seasonal biodiversity surveys in the forest to understand the growth of the ecosystem.
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