Miyawaki forest opens to public

Miyawaki forest, established by Vardhman Steel Company Limited (VSSL) in collaboration with the district administration on an area of 2.5 acres at Chaali Khuh Park located near the Jaura Phatak, was opened for the general public here on Wednesday. It was inaugurated by Sachit Jain, vice-chairman, VSSL, Amritsar East MLA Jeevanjot Kaur and Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney.

Sachit Jain said Miyawaki forest is a scientific method developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, through which a good quality forest can be created even on less land in urban areas. The technique, made popular lately as it does not require large patches of land, uses dense plantation of native species of trees and shrubs similar to a natural forest ecosystem and is now a popularly adopted method of re-forestation in urban areas.

MLA Jeevanjot Kaur said in the last few years, the area under forests has decreased all over the world, “It is imperative that increase in the green cover in cities is worked upon to ensure a better future for next generation,” she said.

While announcing the launch of a special campaign for planting trees during the rainy season, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said this is the first project of its kind in Amritsar city and 20,000 plants of 45 varieties of indigenous and foreign trees have been planted to create a forest area. “This is one of the largest Miyawaki forests in Amritsar,” she added.