Industries in UP to use Japanese Miyawaki method of afforestation to offset carbon emissions

In a bid to reduce the carbon footprint in the state and counterbalance the industrial carbon emissions, the government of Uttar Pradesh has directed all the industries present across the state, to adopt the Japanese Miyawaki afforestation technique. As per the order issued on Wednesday, strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the order including revoking of industry's license to operate.

Technical guidance to be provided by Divisional Forest Officers

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Reportedly, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) has recommended industries to grow high-density micro forests in a minimum space of 150 square metres to meet the compulsory requirement of 33% area of the total land possessed by an industry. Notably, the state government has covered more than 19 hectares of land with miniature urban forest last year in Lucknow, Agra, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Ghaziabad and Varanasi.

"Standard operating procedure (SOP) has been developed by UPPCB for Miyawaki afforestation technique. To control air pollution caused by industries, the Miyawaki method of plantation is very effective, as these plantations have about 10 times more capacity to absorb air pollutants. Therefore, to develop the green belt, it is compulsory for industrial units to adopt the Japanese technique. Technical guidance will be provided by divisional forest officers who will closely monitor the Miyawaki method-based plantation.", read the order.

What is the Miyawaki method of afforestation?

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Named after the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, who invented it, the 'Miyawaki Method', is a unique urban technique of afforestation used to create dense, multilayered miniature forests. Under this method, dozens of plants of native species are planted in close proximity, ensuring that the plants receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards rather than sideways. Additionally, while this technique requires very little space- as low as 20 square feet, it is said to grow 10 times faster than the conventional methods. The forests grown in line with this method are 30 times denser, 100% biodiverse and natural.

It has been reported that these micro-forests grow in two to three years' time and are self-sustaining. Besides, as per the reports, such forests are touted to have more than 99% survival rate. Notably, the benefits of these miniature forests are not only limited to reducing the temperatures in concrete heat islands. Purportedly, these mini-urban forests reduce air and noise pollution, attract local birds and insects, and generate carbon sinks as well.