Chennai’s 2nd urban forest planned in Valasaravakkam

According to a civic body official, 762 tree saplings of 45 different species have been planted on 6,000 sqft land located in Royala Nagar in Valasaravakkam. The urban forest has been created at a cost ofRs 8.72 lakh. Apart from trees, the civic body also planted flowering plants at the site.

“Rural Industries Department Minister P Benjamin and Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash inspected the site and planted saplings on Saturday,” a Chennai Corporation statement said.

The statement added that more such urban forests would be created across the city using the Miyawaki method. These forests will reduce the impact of air pollutionand the trees will help restore biodiversity in the city. The civic body plans to create forests in vacant government land, around water bodies and other areas.

Earlier, the Chennai Corporation had planted tree saplings using the Miyawaki method in Kotturpuram. Around 2,000 saplings of 40 species were planted on the 20,724 sqft land at a cost ofRs 20 lakh.

As per the Miyawaki methodof developing forest, which originated in Japan, the civic body had dug the earth up to four feet to plant the trees. Wet waste, coconut coir, cow dung and others were used as fertilizers.

While creating urban forest using its own funds, the civic body had already requested corporate firms, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations to help create more urban forests in the city.

Miyawaki is a techniquepioneered by Japanesebotanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests. The approach is supposed to ensure that plant growth is 10 times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser than usual. It involves planting dozens of native species in the same area, and becomes maintenance-free after the first three years.