New Delhi: In a significant move towards realizing the vision of saturating National Highways with green cover, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to undertake a unique initiative to plant Miyawaki forests on land parcels adjacent to National Highways at various locations in and around Delhi-NCR.
A total land area of over 53 acres has been earmarked for these plantations. Notable sites include 4.7 acres along the Haryana section of the Dwarka Expressway, 4.1 acres near Sohna on the Delhi-Vadodara section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, and around 5 acres each at Chabri and Kharkhara interchanges on NH 152D of the Ambala-Kotputli corridor in Haryana. Additionally, over 12 acres have been identified at the Shamli bypass on NH-709B, 9.2 acres at the Duhai interchange on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Ghaziabad, and 5.6 acres near the Meerut-Najibabad section of NH-34 in Uttar Pradesh.
Ground preparation at these sites has already begun, with the plantation set to commence during the upcoming monsoon season and expected to be completed by the end of August 2024.
The Miyawaki method, named after the Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, focuses on creating dense, native, and biodiverse forests in a short period. This approach not only accelerates tree growth by tenfold but also aids in groundwater retention and recharge, acting as a natural sound and dust barrier. For successful implementation, the NHAI will focus on planting indigenous species that are well-suited to local climate and soil conditions.
The development of Miyawaki forests is poised to create a resilient ecosystem, offering myriad benefits to both the environment and the local community. These benefits include improvements in micro-climatic conditions, such as enhanced air and soil quality, biodiversity conservation, rapid growth of green cover, efficient carbon absorption, soil restoration, and habitat creation for local flora and fauna.
Given the anticipated success of this initiative in Delhi-NCR, the NHAI plans to replicate the Miyawaki plantation method across the country. Increasing the green cover along National Highways will not only boost the health and well-being of citizens living nearby but will also enhance the aesthetic appeal and enjoyment of traveling these routes.