ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday announced the development of 50 urban forests in Lahore based on the Miyawaki model as part of efforts to develop urban forests for improving the deteriorating environmental situation in the provincial capital.
“I have launched urban forestry on the lines of [the] Miyawaki technique in Japan where the trees grow 10 times faster and 30 times denser and is the best way to fight pollution,” the prime minister tweeted.
I have launched urban forestry on the lines of Miyawaki technique in Japan where the trees grow 10 times faster and 30 times denser and is the best way to fight pollution. 50 sites have been chosen in Lahore. First experiment was in Liberty roundabout in 2020. pic.twitter.com/iOJcYi6sSn
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 13, 2021
“50 sites have been chosen in Lahore,” he added. “[The] first experiment was in Liberty roundabout in 2020.”
Miyawaki is a method invented by 93-year-old Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. He is active worldwide as a professional in the restoration of the natural vegetation on degraded land.
His work developed into the Miyawaki method, an approach that prioritises the natural development of forests using native species. Miyawaki forests can grow into mature ecosystems in just 20 years — astonishingly fast when compared to the 200 years it can take a forest to regenerate on its own.
Once stabilised, the forest is left to flourish, forevermore, on its own without further interference. The technique helps build dense and native forests.
The 51 sites where forests are being developed include: Jilani Park, Bahria Park, Township, Pathrowonwali Park, Arjun Road and Bilal Park in Green Town, Qarshi Park, Ghalib Market Park, Main Park, Main Boulevard and Aslam Riaz Park in Gulberg, Block H-1 Park, Phase II, Sabzazaar, Block E-1 Masjid Ya Rasool Allah Park, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Saggian Park 1, Jallo Botanical Garden, Canal Road (Harbanspura to Fatehgarh), Jallo to BRB Canal, Tajbagh, Triangle Park near the railway station, Sher Shah Block Park, Garden Town, Main Park of Shadman Market, Wasa Office, Shadman, Gulshan-i-Ravi Park, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park, Kareem Block and Moon Market parks in Allama Iqbal Town, Ayubia Market Park, Muslim Town, B-1 Block Park, Johar Town, International Market M-block, Model Town Extension, Canal Road, greenbelt Fatehgarh to Harbanspura, Circular Garden, Rewaz Garden, Family Park, Faisal Town, Qainchi Park Ferozepur Road, Greater Iqbal Park, G-1 Market Johar Town, Begum Kot Triangle Shahdara and Halloki interchange.
