HDMC staff create Miyawaki forest in green push

Hubballi: Staff of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) created new hope by experimenting with growing a Miyawaki forest in a park to raise awareness about environmental protection.The initiative aimed to pass a message to grow a Miyawaki forest and protect the environment. Manjunath Dodawad, a junior engineer at corporation zone office-4 in Navanagar, was involved in the work. In Gangotri Park near Gamanagatti in ward 28, more than 200 oxygen-producing plants were being planted and nurtured in an area of about 20 guntas reserved for the garden."The temperature is rising year by year. Instead of planting ornamental plants and flowering plants in every garden, everyone should grow Miyawaki forests. This will not only reduce the intensity of the sun, but will also lead to aforestation. Such forests will help in cultivating love for each other," says Manjunath Dodawad to TOI.The corporation was also supporting his work and he was taking full responsibility for their care and maintenance. He brought the organic fertiliser required for these at his own expense and applied it once a month. He spent time in the Miyawaki forest on days off from work, watering them and loosening the soil around the plants. He worked hard for at least two to three hours on Sundays.Dodawad said that instead of lawns and flower plants in the garden, plants that increase oxygen should be planted. Planting two small trees in front of every house would provide good oxygen along with cool air. Many people visited Gangotri Park and got information about the cultivation of Miyawaki forest."Mallesh Desur, Assistant Executive Engineer, HDMC, said that the Miyawaki Forestforest Createdwas created at the HDMC garden space. Dodawad is looking after that. With the support of the corporation and staff, many oxygenated saplings were planted two years back and now they all are well grown, about 12 ft."