1.5k come together to give SGSITS campus ‘Miyawaki’ makeover

Indore: Shri GS Institute of Technology & Science (SGSITS), commenced its five-day Miyawaki forest plantation drive on Wednesday. SGSITS aims to create a dense and biodiverse Miyawaki forest, employing the renowned Japanese method, within its sprawling one acre area on campus.The Miyawaki method is an afforestation technique for cultivating fast-growing groves of native plants, with the dense, mixed planting intended to simulate the layers of a natural forest.Over 1500 individuals congregated on the inaugural day planting over 2000 saplings of various species. The initiative champions the revival of extinct species such as sona patha, garuda tree, kumbhi, gabadi, black rosewood, palash, paddy, khat, anjan, tensa, haldu, kusum, and shami. SGSITS is developing the first-ever Miyawaki forest on a college campus in Madhya Pradesh, according to sources.The forest will see a total of 8200 saplings, representing approximately 65 species, take root over the course of the 5-day event.The mass plantation drive was inaugurated by SGSITS director professor Rakesh Saxena. “With this innovative method of plantation we aim to conserve some of the endangered species of plants. It will also set an example for other institutes to do their bit for the environment. We are attempting to get a world record for this,” Dr Saxena told TOI. To nurture and sustain this green endeavour, arrangements have been put in place to ensure the welfare of the newly planted saplings. Drip irrigation systems have been installed to provide adequate hydration, promising a nurturing environment conducive to their growth and development.“We have dug 1.5 feet pits, which have compost and rooting hormones so that the plants get adequate nourishment. For the next four days people from various departments and fields will visit the campus and participate in plantations. It will take approximately 3 years for plants to attain 6 feet height,” said Alex Mundapuzha, in-charge of the forest at SGSITS. The college is also towards achieving a Guinness World Record for developing the ‘largest man-made forest inside an engineering college campus’.The ambitious project seeks to reintroduce and preserve endangered tree species native to a 40 to 50 kilometre radius around Indore.