Two more Miyawaki forests in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the state’s first Miyawaki model 'urban forest' is turning a five cents of land near Sooryakanthi auditorium at Kanakakunnu palace premises into a lush green space, two more similar urban forests are getting ready in the city. The EMS Academy at Vilappilsala and Government LP School, Chenkottukonam have started planting saplings for Miyawaki forest last week.
Introduced by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the Miyawaki method involves developing natural forest in an area as small as 100 sqm.Under Miyawaki style, the trees could grow up to a height of 20-30 metres within 10 year, unlike natural forest which would take around 35 years.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan inaugurated the Miyawaki forest project at EMS Academy on World Environment Day on Wednesday. The academy is planning to plant around 1000 trees, herbs and creepers in around 150 varieties in its campus to develop it into an urban forest.
For young tots of Government LP School Chenkottukonam, the launch of Miyawaki forest coincided with their school re-opening on Thursday. Following the footsteps of climate activist Greta Thunberg, the students have taken up mission to reduce the impact of climate change by planting saplings. The project is being executed with the support of Peace collective and Pratidhwani, a socio-cultural organization of Technopark employees.
Ajith Anirudhan, PTA president and Pratidhwani member, said that they are planning to introduce a biodiversity park, of which the Miyawaki forest is a part. “Peace collective is executing the project. The students are forefront in planting and nurturing of the saplings. In addition to Miyawaki forest, we have plans to start a medicinal plant garden and fruit tree garden. The entire biodiversity park will come up in a half acre space,” he said.
Around 180 saplings belonging to around 40 species such as fig, sandal, black plum, tamarind have been planted in the school campus on the school re-opening day.