Daily Times

We all know the story of an aged person sowing the seeds for a tree that matures late. Their aim was to provide shade and fruit to their grandchildren. Sadly, a generation or two forgot this lesson. Instead, society as a whole became greedy and forests were not only cleared but afforestation efforts were also unsuccessful. Furthermore, most of the saplings being planted were left to the mercy of God

The Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his first address to the nation, narrated the conditions of malnourished children in the country. He stated that these children were bound to start life with a clear disadvantage, and the same is the case with haphazard plantation campaigns. The soil of the country has been deprived of key nutrients due to excessive use of water and chemical fertilizers, while environmental pollution has further deteriorated conditions. Thus, saplings placed in this type of soil start their lives with clear disadvantages, even if they eventually manage to grow. Post-plantation care of these saplings is also missing unless it’s part of landscaping in cities with budgets and staff.

The sword of climate change is cutting the outer skin with every passing day, and will soon hit bone. We need to provide support to the saplings especially in our fast growing and ill planned urban areas. Post-plantation care should also be planned for at least the initial 3 years.

In 2006, Sir Nicholas Stern published his iconic report on Climate Change, in which he stated that if governments agreed to spend less than 1 percent of their GDP for Climate Change mitigation now (2005), the process could be stopped or even reversed. However, if not done by 2020, then the effects would irreversible. Carefully planted and monitored afforestation also involves much higher costs than mere insertion of saplings in soil. However, we should not forget that even though we pay this price now, the benefits will last for years.

Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist invented the ‘Miyawaki Technique’ to grow forests ten times faster than normal. He has planted more than 40 million saplings to date, at 1,700 sites around the globe

The Prime Minister has rightly emphasized on making this earth green again. Countries have been experimenting with fast growing and biodiverse forests, especially in urban areas over the past few decades. Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist who is about to turn a hundred years old, discovered a way known as the ‘Miyawaki Technique’ to grow forests 10 times faster than normal. He has planted more than 40 million saplings to date, at 1,700 sites around the globe. His forests are fast growing in Japan and India, and recently the Netherlands also awarded a contract to his Indian pupil Shubhendu Sharma to plant 100 such urban forests, like the 33 forests he planted in India. Miyawaki has helped Mr Shahzad Qureshi to establish 2 such forests in Pakistan as well.

The Miyawaki technique has 3 main pillars; test the soil first and then whichever crucial nutrients are missing, provide them in a specialized way. Plant native and diverse types of saplings close enough so that they grow as a supporting community and provide initial care for at least 3 years. This approach will establish fast growing, dense and diverse forests, whether in rural or urban areas.

Forestscaping, is the term coined for establishing real forests in urban areas. These forests serve as filters, protecting the environment against pollution and also providing breathing spaces for inhabitants. Educational institutes, public and private entities with available land must go for this technique

Considering that moist soil is a clear advantage and watering the plants needs a lot of resources, the Miyawaki Technique can be complemented with the African Pitcher Technique. Pilot tests have shown results validating the fast and secure growth even in semi barren soils. A pitcher filled with water once every 10 days is able to keep soil moist for the surrounding 4 plants. When these two techniques are combined a clear advantage is given to saplings to develop into a 10 year old forest in a year.

In vast rural lands, a risk could be taken to leave saplings unattended and on the mercy of nature if financial resources are missing. In urban areas, however, we need every sapling to grow into a tree, rapidly.

Forestscaping, is the term coined for establishing real forests in urban areas. These forests serve as filters, protecting the environment against pollution and also providing breathing spaces for inhabitants. Educational institutes, public and private entities with available land must go for this technique.

Cost of putting up a Miyawaki Forest with Pitchers is higher than simply planting a sapling. However, when considering its 10 times faster growth rate and survival potential, this technique becomes much more economical and ecological. The spatial data holders and GIS experts can help the governments and private enterprises identify suitable locations to establish such forests, especially in the urban settlements with low air quality. A holistic city-wide Urban Forest Plan should be developed, with appropriate policies and measures, instead of piecemeal efforts to plant trees.

The writer is working as a senior specialist at the Urban Unit Lahore. He has studied and worked in fields of Engineering, Public Health, Ecology, Disaster Management, Change Management and Energy Management. He is especially interested in circular economy and climate change. Email: azharuup@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, September 24^th 2018.