VMRDA plans Miyawaki mini forests to boost city green cover

Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is planning to boost green cover by developing mini forests on the Miyawaki model, an afforestation technique that creates dense, self-sustaining native forests.VMRDA has identified the initiative as a key step to tackle rising pollution levels.

The mini forests will comprise native species suited to the local ecosystem, ensuring higher survival rates and stronger biodiversity.The VMRDA forest wing has examined around six layouts across the city for the initiative.

Proposed locations include Rushikonda, Madhurawada, Kapuluppada, Pedagantyada, Paradesipalem and Vepagunta.

Officials assessed land suitability and soil conditions to finalise plant selection.Speaking about the project, VMRDA chairman M Pranav Gopal said the Miyawaki model creates dense green patches that act as effective carbon sinks and natural air filters. “These forests grow rapidly, attract birds and pollinators, and can transform small urban spaces into biodiverse ecosystems within two decades, compared to conventional forests that take much longer,” he said.He added that such forests grow up to ten times faster and are nearly 30 times denser than traditional plantations.

VMRDA plans to extend the initiative to more layouts in future.The authority will initially develop these forests across about 11 acres in layouts such as Tarakarama, Balacheruvu, Simhapuri, Kapuluppada, Ozone Valley and Mithilapuri.Native species proposed include jackfruit, bamboo, bael (maredu), gooseberry (usiri), golden shower tree (rela), Indian jasmine (juvvi), peepal (ravi) and rock fig (konda ravi), among others.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Vijayawada | Silver Rate in Vijayawada | Bank Holidays in Vijayawada | Public Holidays in Vijayawada | Petrol Price in Vijayawada | Diesel Price in Vijayawada | CNG Price in Vijayawada | LPG Price in VijayawadaStay updated with the latest Vijayawada news.

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