Latest news with #AkiraMiyawaki
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Meghalaya embraces Miyawaki method for promoting afforestation
1 2 Shillong: Meghalaya is taking a step forward in protecting the environment by using the Miyawaki Forest method — a fast and effective way of growing dense, native forests .This method was developed in Japan by botanist Akira Miyawaki and is now being used across the state as part of an afforestation project led by the state soil and water conservation Conrad K Sangma played a key role in pushing for environmental conservation and raised serious concerns about deforestation across the state and has been working to restore green cover through various programmes."To support this effort, the state has initiated different interventions including 'Green Meghalaya' and has partnered with different organisations to promote conservation and afforestation programme. The state govt is also providing financial incentives through the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for conservation of forest cover," an official statement Thursday, the CM visited a Miyawaki forest site at Mawsharoh, Ummir, in East Khasi Hills district, where the method is being used to grow a forest on a 1.5-hectare area. Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar Currently, similar projects are being implemented on a total of 25,000 hectares throughout from the soil and water conservation department shared how the Miyawaki method is helping to restore the ecosystem. "The method involves planting native trees close together in layers, which leads to rapid growth of dense, self-sustaining forests. These forests grow faster than traditional plantations and require less maintenance over time," the official statement project is being carried out with strong support from local communities, who are actively involved in the planting and caring of these forests. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo The first Miyawaki forest plantation in Meghalaya began three years ago in Garo Hills as a pilot project."The project will be expanded across the state as one of our main afforestation drives," the CM said."The Miyawaki method not only helps restore greenery but also brings many other benefits. These mini-forests help absorb carbon dioxide, fight climate change, improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, and provide shelter for wildlife. Meghalaya's rich soil and unique climate make it ideal for growing these forests," the official statement said.
BBC News
27-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Tiny forest' with 600 trees to be planted in Loughborough park
A new 'tiny forest' is set to be created in a park in Loughborough using an innovative planting method. Up to 600 native trees will be planted in an area of Jubilee Park the size of a tennis court. The scheme will use a woodland management and establishment technique called the Miyawaki method and aims to "connect" residents with method was developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, who found planting different species close together helped to establish new dense woodland quickly, without the use of chemicals or fertilisers. 'Positive legacy' A community planting event, organised by environmental charity Earthwatch, will be held at the park on Wednesday, 5 March at 10:00 project is being overseen by Charnwood Borough Council and paid for through the local authority treescapes fund from the Forestry Commission. Anne Gray, Charnwood Borough Council's lead member for waste, open spaces and leisure facilities, said: "We're delighted to bring a Tiny Forest to Jubilee Park, which will provide a fantastic space for the community to connect with nature, learn about the environment, and enjoy the benefits of green spaces."This project not only helps tackle the effects of climate change but also creates a haven for wildlife and a valuable resource for local residents."We're excited to see the community come together to plant and nurture this new woodland, leaving a positive legacy for generations to come."
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Japanese-style micro woods planted across county
A series of Japanese-style micro forests are being brought to life across Lancashire, thanks to help from community volunteers. Led by Lancashire County Council, the Miyawaki micro woods have been created by planting more than 9,000 trees over the last year at 11 sites across the county. This year 24,000 more trees will be planted at a further 16 locations following a £1m grant from the Forestry Commission, the county council said. Volunteers who have planted trees have included school children, Army veterans and refugees. Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki developed the tree planting technique which involves enhancing the soil and planting trees closer together so the wood grows to its full scale in about 30 years, as opposed to up to 200 years a new forest would usually take to mature. Every pupil at Weeton Primary School, members of the local Roots to Branches forest school, veterans, members of Lancashire County Council's Treescapes team and councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for environment and climate change, joined forces to plant the first 500 of 1,500 trees at Weeton Barracks earlier this month. The councillor said people of all ages had been involved in the planting sessions "as it's really important the community truly own this project and are part of it right from the very beginning". The grant is also funding Miyawaki micro woods at: Roundway in Fleetwood John Smith's Playing Fields in Longridge Astley Park in Chorley Lancaster and Morecambe College Witton Park in Blackburn Edisford Bridge in Clitheroe Bedford Park in Padiham Lancaster Avenue in Helmshore Dinmore Avenue in Blackpool West End Park in Ormskirk Archbishop Hutton's VC Primary School, Warton Sparth Road, Clayton le Moors St Catherine's Park, Lostock Hall New Longton Recreation Ground and Nelson and Colne College in Barrowford. Ian Wright, community engagement officer in the council's Treescapes team, said: "One of the great things about this type of woodland creation is it provides instant and massive uplift for native wildlife in a way that few other nature conservation initiatives could ever do." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Japanese-style mini forest plan for suburban park 'Tiny forests make a big difference' 'UK's first tiny forest' helps urban environment Tiny forest aims to bring city health benefits Forestry Commission Lancashire County Council
BBC News
25-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Japanese-style Miyawaki micro woods planted across Lancashire
A series of Japanese-style micro forests are being brought to life across Lancashire, thanks to help from community by Lancashire County Council, the Miyawaki micro woods have been created by planting more than 9,000 trees over the last year at 11 sites across the county. This year 24,000 more trees will be planted at a further 16 locations following a £1m grant from the Forestry Commission, the county council who have planted trees have included school children, Army veterans and refugees. Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki developed the tree planting technique which involves enhancing the soil and planting trees closer together so the wood grows to its full scale in about 30 years, as opposed to up to 200 years a new forest would usually take to mature. Every pupil at Weeton Primary School, members of the local Roots to Branches forest school, veterans, members of Lancashire County Council's Treescapes team and councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for environment and climate change, joined forces to plant the first 500 of 1,500 trees at Weeton Barracks earlier this month. 'Massive uplift' The councillor said people of all ages had been involved in the planting sessions "as it's really important the community truly own this project and are part of it right from the very beginning".The grant is also funding Miyawaki micro woods at: Roundway in FleetwoodJohn Smith's Playing Fields in LongridgeAstley Park in ChorleyLancaster and Morecambe CollegeWitton Park in BlackburnEdisford Bridge in ClitheroeBedford Park in PadihamLancaster Avenue in HelmshoreDinmore Avenue in BlackpoolWest End Park in OrmskirkArchbishop Hutton's VC Primary School, WartonSparth Road, Clayton le MoorsSt Catherine's Park, Lostock HallNew Longton Recreation Ground and Nelson and Colne College in Wright, community engagement officer in the council's Treescapes team, said: "One of the great things about this type of woodland creation is it provides instant and massive uplift for native wildlife in a way that few other nature conservation initiatives could ever do." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Euronews
17-02-2025
- General
- Euronews
'Magnets for human connection': Why Japanese ‘micro-forests' are transforming our cities
Between busy streets, parks and shopping centres, a green transformation is quietly underway, bringing nature back to the urban sprawl of cities. Micro-forests, small areas of densely planted woodland trees, are being planted everywhere from London to Los Angeles. But what are they and how can they make our built-up metropolises better? What are micro-forests and why do we need them? More than 420 million hectares of forest have been lost to other uses since 1990, according to the UN's 2020 State of the World's Forests Report. With more than 85 per cent of the global population living in urban areas, micro-forests in cities offer an essential opportunity to combat deforestation. The Miyawaki Forest Technique, invented by Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s, is the inspiration for micro-forests worldwide. These diverse, organic small forests can be created on sites as small as nine square metres, and only use native species that would otherwise grow naturally in the planting area. They grow up to 10 times faster than monoculture forests, in just two to three decades. Since Miyawaki's work began, more than 280 micro-forests have been planted. NGO Earthwatch Europe has planted 285 tiny forests since 2022. Their plots, made up of 600 trees, can attract more than 500 animal and plant species within the first three years. Locations include a sports ground and park in Haringey, North London. Meanwhile 'SUGi', a tree-planting programme which aims to restore biodiversity and reintroduce native species, has created 230 'pocket forests' in 52 cities across the world, from Toulouse, France, to Saint George in Romania and Madrid, Spain. How do micro-forests benefit the environment? In polluted urban areas, micro-forests can help to restore soil, water and air quality, according to the Woodland Trust. Their small size allows plantation in relatively limited urban space, often taking advantage of unused spaces such as school playgrounds, cemeteries, and near metro stations. They can also help to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall, and to keep towns and cities cooler. They become magnets for human connection Elise Van Middelem Founder and CEO of SUGi. Micro-forests can create more habitats for wildlife in cities, such as blackbirds or hedgehogs. When planted in distinct layers, they can also develop plant communities of smaller shrubs and herbs, which allow the micro-forests to become self-sustaining after just three to five years of growth. 'Our pocket forests offer a myriad of benefits' says Elise Van Middelem, Founder and CEO of SUGi. 'Perhaps most importantly, they can support the positive well-being of communities. From a psychological perspective, interacting with nature reduces physical stress and can improve symptoms of mental ill health, including anxiety or depression.' 'They become magnets for human connection. People take respite during the heat of the day or visit to read a book; at other times the forest becomes a place of dancing, learning, discussion, and leisure. They are self-sustaining within 2-3 years from an ecological standpoint, but at a much deeper level, community members become stewards of the land itself.' She adds: 'They also positively impact children and youth. 140 of our pocket forests were planted in schools together with almost 80,000 children. Planting pocket forests provides children with a unique opportunity to engage with nature and see that their actions can have tangible environmental outcomes. Engaging the next generation with nature is critical, because in order for us to want to protect and care for nature, we need to feel a connection with it' What are the challenges of planting in urban areas? Despite the benefits of urban micro-forests, there are also issues involved in growing in cities. Exposure to pollutants, high temperatures and drought can prevent deep root growth, and increase the likelihood of disease, according to Cities4Forests, a global alliance supporting nature in cities. Van Middelem also highlights the challenge of gaining communities' support in growing micro-forests: 'It is necessary to effectively engage stakeholders in the community and get resident buy-in. A pocket forest cannot be planted without their approval', she says. 'However, none of these challenges are insurmountable.' These are all issues that must be considered - but with time, micro-forests could help to reduce pollution in cities as well as making them more pleasant places to live.
