SECL will use ‘Miyawaki’ plantation method to increase green cover

• 09 Dec 2023

Why in News?

As per information provided by Press Information Bureau, Government of India on December 6, 2023, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) will plant saplings for the 1st time in its operational areas using Japan's popular 'Miyawaki' method to promote forest cover in the coal belt area of Chhattisgarh.

Key Points:

• SECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, will use the popular Japanese technology to develop Miyawaki forest in a two hectare area in Gevra area as a pilot project.
• The project will be implemented in partnership with Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation (CGRVVN) at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 4 crore.
• The tree planting using Miyawaki technology will be carried out over a period of two years, with approximately 20,000 saplings planted. In plantation, big plants like banyan, peepal, mango, jamun etc.; Medium plants like Karanj, Amla, Ashoka etc. and small plants like Kaner, Hibiscus, Trichoma, Ber, Fig, Lemon etc. will be included.
• It may be noted that the Miyawaki method of tree plantation was started in the 70s by Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Akira Miyawaki. This tree planting technique involves planting native trees, shrubs and groundcover plants within every square metre. This is an ideal method to grow a dense forest rapidly in a small space.
• The species selected for Miyawaki plantations are usually plants that do not require much maintenance and can survive harsh weather and water scarcity conditions & grow rapidly under the existing conditions. This helps in developing a dense forest in a short period of time.
• The pilot project of Miyawaki plantation at SECL will help in increasing the green cover around Gevra mine, the country's largest coal mine, in a short period of time. The forest composed of indigenous species of fruit, avenue and ornamental trees will also prove beneficial for local communities and wildlife. The forests developed under the project will also play an important role in absorbing dust particles and controlling the surface temperature.
• It is worth mentioning that apart from being one of the leading coal companies of India, SECL is continuously working towards promoting green cover around its mines and preserving the environment and reducing the impacts of coal mining.
• Since its inception, SECL has planted more than 3 crore saplings. In the financial year 2023-24, the company has developed green cover in 475 hectare area and planted 10.77 lakh saplings, which is the highest among all the subsidiaries of Coal India.
• The company has recently tied up with Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation (CGRVVN) and Madhya Pradesh State Forest Development Corporation (MPRVVN) for plantation and maintenance of 4 years for a five years period from 2023-24 to 2027-28.