An approach for developing self-sustaining Ayurvedic medicinal forest in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, using the Miyawaki technique
Deepshikha Arya, Harit Kumari, M.S. Rawat, Sanjiv Kumar, Achintya Mitra, Ashish Kumar Tripathi, N. Shiddhamallayya, N. SrikanthAbstract
BACKGROUND:
The Miyawaki method of plantation is an effective restoration method proposed by Akira Miyawaki. It is an extremely useful approach for combating the present-day environmental problems. The Miyawaki forest aims to develop a mini-forest in a limited time and conserve biodiversity and native species by utilizing limited space efficiently.
METHODS:
A study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance of selected native plant species by using the Miyawaki method of plantation in hilly context at Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. The data on growth were recorded to assess the growth rate of selected species in comparison with the control site.
RESULTS:
The results showed that planting native species along with proper weeding, watering, and soil treatment not only encouraged the establishment of saplings in the experimental group but also helped in the development of a mini-forest. The Miyawaki plantation also showed greater plant density and species diversity, supporting rapid ecosystem development. However, the control site exhibited reduced growth across all parameters due to poor soil conditions (gravel and rocky texture) and limited nutrient availability.
CONCLUSION:
This study presents a model for the establishment of mini-forests in other hilly areas. This method is highly effective for conserving biodiversity, including medicinal plants, and for improving overall environmental quality by increasing forest cover and restoring areas affected by human-induced damage.