The initiative to develop a Miyawaki forest in the Mangaluru district has finally come to fruition. It is a dense pocket of trees that comprises native plant species. Created to enrich biodiversity, encourage pollinators and support ecosystems, this project was proposed two years ago by the Biopharmaceutical company, Biocon, under the leadership of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). Environmentalist Jeeth Milan Roche was given the responsibility of overseeing the project. He was known for planting one lakh saplings in the city. The saplings, planted in 2022, have now turned into a green forest.
The current Miyawaki Forest stands on a 78-cent plot of land from the Labor Department gate to the Padavu bus stand. You can reach from KPT towards Nanturu. This forest follows the results derived by Dr. Akira Miyawaki, a plant expert in Japan, who successfully experimented with growing forests in a small area. The urban forest in Mangaluru is named after her. More than 2000 trees are growing up to a height of 10-15 feet. However, if the trees grow any longer, then it would become impossible for people to enter the forest.
This Miyawaki Forest is home to unique species of trees that grow in the Western Ghats. Wild mango, Jackfruit, Hebbalasu, Norekai, Sita Ashoka, Mahogany, Sandalwood, Glutinous, Violet, Honeysuckle, Sampige, Wild almond, Punarpuli, Andipunar, Wild ginger, Honge, Cherry, Basavanpada, Kadamba, Sorrel, Ashwattha, Banyan and Thorny bamboo are some of the endangered species of plants which can be spotted here. As per media reports, 8,000 litres of water is poured on these trees per day. Green waste from city apartments is used as fertilizer.
Before the rise of the Miyawaki forest, tons of debris were removed from the site. The estimated cost to develop the forest in the city was more than Rs 15 lakh, according to Jeeth Milan Roche. The saplings were planted in May 2022. With the scorching sun on our heads, the presence of urban forest creates a cool environment for the people.
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