Miyawaki Forest at Home

The Miyawaki Model of Afforestation is gaining widespread popularity in Kerala. But there is a spate of criticism too, and we are trying to address those issues. There is growing awareness that a new style has emerged, and a feeling there should be at least one Miyawaki forest in each panchayat or public space. As a result of it, we have been able to put up one Miyawaki forest in each locality. But I’m not sure that even those who implement this method, fully understand and follow the scientific principles that work behind it. I think there are people who dig up a hundred pits here and there, plant a hundred saplings, and think that they are raising a Miyawaki forest. We may come to know its defects only after four or five years because there is bound to be a considerable difference in the growth rates of plants raised in these two models.

However, there are a few individuals who like to do it the right way, even if it means spending considerable money from their own pockets. We intend to introduce such people to you and also show you their Miyawaki forests. One of them is Dr Rajashree Warrier, the famous Bharatanatyam dancer, and Mr Anil, her husband and retired officer from the Department of Geology and Mining. Together, they have set apart three-fourths of a cent in their plot to grow a Miyawaki forest. It was planted nearly six months back. Let us find out from them about the growth rate of their forest, how they developed an interest in it and so on.

A little while after we had constructed this house and started living here, we had to get the compound wall rebuilt. At that time, we had to chop off a lot of branches of a tree that was leaning heavily to this side. From here, during nights, we could see the tree surrounded by fireflies. So, after its branches were cut, I could not sleep that night, feeling very anxious about where the fireflies would go. But when I went to lock the room upstairs, what I saw was the sight of fireflies hovering around the tree on the opposite side. Now I was convinced that if the branches of one tree were cut, the fireflies would seek out another tree. However, I kept on thinking of ways by which I could bring them back here.

But it takes such a long time for a plant to grow, or new leaves to sprout after a branch has been cut! That was when I came to know about crowdforesting and Miyawaki. Of course, M. R. Hari is a friend of mine, and he is driven by this mission to plant Miyawaki forests all over Kerala.  I thought about the easiest way to bring back fireflies, butterflies and moths, and felt the Miyawaki forest was the best option. So I decided to try it out. After all, I like experiments and am passionate about experimenting in dance.

I had no idea as to how much a Miyawaki forest in one cent of land would grow. Although I had seen Miyawaki forests at various places, I did not know how fruitful it would be in this spot. All I wanted was a lot of fruits and a lot of birds coming here to eat them. But what we usually do is construct houses. So in order to compensate for it, I felt I should have a Miyawaki forest in the compound.

This forest is nearly five months old. We travel a lot and whenever we come back, we see the plants growing astonishingly well. Some, like the papaya, have even begun to produce fruits. And many insects have started coming here – butterflies of various colours. The other day I saw a blue butterfly. I spotted it because it was fluttering above the yellow peacock flowers. There are peacock flowers of many hues in this plot, and a lot of indigenous plants.

When I saw the luxuriant growth, a thought struck me and I shared it with Hari. The reason for this splendid growth is that we had selected indigenous plants mostly. So the idea of a forest is not a faraway dream. It is possible to have it very close to us. That is a source of great relief because this gives us an opportunity to do something for our planet, our soil and for our own sustained existence. This thought was what brought me to the concept of the Miyawaki forest. If this is the condition of my forest after five months, I’m excited to see what it will be like after some more time!

What you just saw was a Miyawaki forest set up in the plot by Rajashree Warrier and her husband. The area covers three-fourths of a cent. The forest is five months old. All of us have seen its growth. Butterflies come here in large numbers. Birds too. Flowers and fruits have appeared. All this will bring greenery and a cool atmosphere very close to the house. Many have a fear of snakes and refuse to have trees close to their houses. But experiments like these prove that it should not be a source of concern. You too can conduct this experiment. I hope more and more people will come forward, and do it.