Explained: What Are Miyawaki Forests And Why Delhi's Plan Near Najafgarh Faces Criticism

The Delhi government plans to establish two new Miyawaki forests near Najafgarh, located in southwest Delhi. These forests will be created using the Miyawaki method, which was developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.The two forests will come up in Kharkhari Jatmal and Jainpur, both near Najafgarh. According to Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the government intends to plant 350,000 saplings of native species in these forests. The forest in Kharkhari Jatmal will cover an area of 2.44 hectares, while the one in Jainpur will span 4.54 hectares.What Are Miyawaki Forests?In the early 1970s, Japanese forest ecologist Akira Miyawaki developed a method for establishing densely planted forests, often in urban or degraded areas. The approach involves planting a mix of native tree and shrub species in close proximity to accelerate growth and mimic natural forest dynamics. It gained international attention in part through Japanese multinational companies—such as Nippon Steel and Tokyo Electric Power Company—that adopted it for overseas projects in response to growing environmental regulations and corporate responsibility expectations. The method has since been used in various regions, including parts of Southeast Asia, Europe, Jordan, and Brazil. However, it has also faced criticism, with some questioning its long-term ecological impact and effectiveness across different environments.Ecological Concerns And Corporate AdoptionThe Miyawaki method has come under scrutiny from ecologists and environmentalists who question whether it offers a genuine environmental solution or an oversimplified approach. Key concerns include its high cost, limited suitability across different ecological contexts, and whether it truly replicates the complexity of natural forests. While the method may enhance urban biodiversity and provide some climate-related benefits, critics argue that these small, dense plantations are not a replacement for conserving or restoring large, natural ecosystems. There are also concerns that some companies use Miyawaki forests as a public relations tool, rather than as part of a broader environmental strategy. The focus on rapid, visible results may overshadow efforts to address the underlying causes of environmental degradation.There are also concerns that, if not carefully implemented, the method can result in monoculture-like conditions, where a few dominant species overshadow the intended diversity. Some critics suggest that the Miyawaki method is at times used to promote afforestation projects driven more by commercial or public relations goals than by long-term ecological considerations. The emphasis on creating fast-growing, visually dense greenery may ultimately distract from addressing deeper and more systemic environmental issues.There are also concerns that applying the method to non-forested habitats may disrupt existing ecosystems and alter local hydrology. Project Drawdown, a US-based nonprofit focused on climate solutions, has criticised certain implementations of the method for being economically driven, with little regard for long-term environmental or community impacts. It has referred to some of these projects as “ecological deserts,” noting that limited-species plantings fail to replicate the biodiversity of natural forests.Density, Water, And MoreSome critics address the dense planting approach used in the Miyawaki method, arguing that it can restrict natural tree growth and compromise their ecological function. Bharat Mansata, environmental writer and activist, as well as a founding member of the Vanvadi Forest Collective, explains that “the form of growth is not a natural form. The increase in height is disproportionate to girth—there isn’t enough sunshine to spread outwardly, so trees grow more in height. You do get a dense forest, but it is too jam-packed. It is like one mass hedge - super dense.” He also notes that Miyawaki forests require regular watering during the first few years after planting to support sapling growth, even though they are designed to become self-sustaining later.A Slower ApproachMansata advocates for a slow and steady approach to greening, based on his experience regenerating a largely barren area near Pune. He is part of Vanvadi, a nonprofit forest collective in the foothills of the Sahyadri mountains near Neral, Maharashtra. Over 65 acres, Mansata and others worked together to restore the land into a diverse forest primarily through natural regeneration, protection, and targeted actions such as water harvesting and selective tree planting. The collective focused on allowing the land to recover by preventing deforestation and supporting natural growth processes. They also used water conservation techniques and supplemented natural regeneration with the introduction of evergreen and fruit-bearing trees.“It did not take that long for earth to regenerate. It has been 31 years since we bought the land—now it’s 32 years of regrowth. And forests like this will keep growing and giving benefits. Even 10 years down the line you see benefits because of this. Vanvadi was soaking in so much rain that aquifers were replenished and even villages downstream from our area—open wells, groundwater, and handpumps—were recharged,” Mansata said.His experience underscores a simple but important truth: given time and the right conditions, the Earth has a remarkable capacity to heal and regenerate itself.FAQs | Miyawaki Forests In Najafgarh, DelhiWhat is the Miyawaki method of forest creation?It’s a Japanese technique for planting dense, fast-growing native forests in small urban spaces to restore green cover quickly.Why is Delhi using the Miyawaki method near Najafgarh?To counter rising pollution and meet afforestation goals, Delhi is planning small forest patches along areas like the Najafgarh drain using this method.Why is the Miyawaki method controversial?Critics argue it may disrupt local ecology, use non-native species, and oversimplify complex ecosystem regeneration.Who supports this afforestation plan?The Delhi government and civic authorities support it as a fast-track green solution. Urban planners and eco-engineers are involved in implementation.What do environmentalists say about Miyawaki forests in cities?Some ecologists say that while visually appealing, Miyawaki forests may not replicate natural ecosystems and could have long-term downsides.This Man Is Fighting To Save One Of The Last Remaining Forests Near Delhi