Sambalpur Forest Dept creates dense forest within a year by using Miyawaki method

At a time when the whole world is grappling to tackle with many vicissitudes arising out of climate change mainly due to deforestation and other reasons, Sambalpur Forest Department has set an example by growing a dense forest in a barren land within a very short span of time.

The Department only took one year to set up the dense forest by adopting the Japanese Miyawaki method. The forest has been created in a 10-hectare patch of land at Potapali village under Sambalpur Town Forest Range. More than 8,000 trees of as many as 50 indigenous species have been planted in the forest.

As per Sambalpur DFO Biswanath Nilanwar, the beautiful lush green forest could be created within a short span of time by executing the plan as per the modern method.

“Almost all the trees have grown up to 30-35 feet long on the barren and infertile land within one year only. This was only possible by adopting the modern Miyawaki method,” said Biswanath.

The Miyawaki forestation method is a unique way to create a dense forest in small pieces of land. The method is pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. 

“With this method of the plantation, a dense forest can grow within a short span of time while a conventional forest takes many years to grow naturally,” said Sambalpur Town Forest Ranger Prithwiraj Behera.

“In the Miyawaki technique, various native species of plants are planted close to each other in different layers so that the saplings receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards than sideways. As a result, the plantation becomes approximately 30 times denser and grows 10 times faster. The forest becomes maintenance-free after a few years,” he added.

Moreover, no chemical and inorganic fertilizers have been used to grow the saplings. 

“Compost and vermicompost manures using end products formed by the biodegradation of organic matters have been prepared by the department and those have been applied to the soil. With constant monitoring, watering and cleaning the area from weed, the forest has grown so fast and dense,” said Burla Forester Manoj Kumar Behera.