Tiruchi Corporation develops Miyawaki forest with 5,000 saplings

In a bid to combat urban heat stress and curb air pollution, Tiruchi Corporation is creating a Miyawaki mini-forest at Akilandeswari Nagar in Ward 35 of Zone III in the city.

Spread over 2,023 square metres, the Corporation-owned park has been transformed into a dense urban forest by planting 5,000 saplings. The plantation includes 26 varieties of native trees comprising shade-giving, flowering, fruit-bearing, and environmentally beneficial species such as neem, pungai, iluppai, and jamun.

The project has been implemented under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Kauvery Hospital and Rotary District 3000, which jointly contributed 5,000 saplings. Drip irrigation facilities, protective fencing and systematic maintenance have been provided to ensure the healthy growth of the plants.

The Corporation is developing dense mini-forests using the Miyawaki technique across all five zones of the city to reduce urban temperatures and improve air quality. The initiative is being implemented through the joint efforts of the civic body and volunteers.

Compared to conventional plantation methods, the Miyawaki technique enables trees to grow up to ten times faster, allowing the area to develop into a self-sustaining natural forest within a relatively short period.

Commissioner N. Ponmani said the civic body planned to plant more saplings across the city as part of its efforts to protect the environment. Corporation officials, sanitation workers, volunteers, and residents took part.

The Corporation has identified three sites in Cantonment and made arrangements for planting saplings with protective fencing. A Miyawaki forest is also planned in Ward 56. The civic body is also exploring roadside stretches, riverbanks, tank bunds and other public lands for large-scale plantation of native tree species.

In its 2026-27 budget, the civic body has earmarked ₹15 crore from its General Fund for the initiative, allocating ₹1.50 crore for each Miyawaki forest.