Kerala goes the Japanese way in raising micro-forests

Context

• Kerala has propelled the state’s tourism department to raise micro-forests on the Miyawaki model at 22 tourism spots.

What is Miyawaki Model?

• Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
  
• It helps to build dense,native forests in a short time.

How the micro-forests are grown?

• Under this model, the incubator-like bed of fertilizers is prepared that will provide the trees with the essential nutrients for the initial three years.
• The species that are indigenous and local to the area are planted closely.
• Within three years, their roots would become strong and go beyond the fertilizer bed.
• All trees are grown at the same level in the same period.
• The Japanese model, promises 30-times better carbon dioxide absorption.
• The native trees of the region are identified and divided into four layers — shrub, sub-tree, tree, and canopy.
• A mound is built with the soil and the seeds are plantedat a very high density — three to five saplings per square meter.
• The ground is covered with a thick layer of mulch.