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Who is Rafi Ramnath turning barren land into a forest with Miyawaki technique?

During his recent episode 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Miyawaki planting technique, a Japanese method

By groundreportdesk 19 Jun 2023

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Who is Rafi Ramnath turning barren land into a forest with Miyawaki technique?

During his recent episode 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Miyawaki planting technique, a Japanese method known for creating dense urban forests in a limited space. PM Modi shared the inspiring story of Raafi Ramnath, a teacher from Kerala, who successfully used the Miyawaki method to transform a barren land into a prosperous mini-forest called Vidyavanam by planting 115 varieties of trees.

In an effort to combat climate change, reduce pollution and increase green spaces in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been actively establishing Miyawaki forests in various open areas of the city.

Who is Rafi Ramnath?

Rafi Ramnath is a biology teacher at at Alappuzha Tamarakulam VV Higher Secondary School. He became famous for his environmental work, planting trees and building medicinal plant gardens.

Rafi gained recognition through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' programme. Praised by the Prime Minister himself, Rafi Ramnath, an environmentalist, created a remarkable plant garden called 'Vidyavanam' within the school premises using Miyawaki's technique.

Rafi's dedication to environmental work has been recognized by the State Biodiversity Board, which awarded him the title of Best Environmentalist in 2015. Rafi, the son of Ramanathan Pillai and Subhadra Amma, hails from Santhosh Bhawan in Palliyavattom, Thekkekkara, Mavelikara. His wife is Srilakshmi and he has two sons, R.S. Advait and RS Parthiv.

Being a biology teacher, Rafi started several activities by planting 50 medicinal plants in the school with the help of the forestry department. Today, the number of medicinal plants has risen to around 250.

One of Rafi's notable achievements was obtaining a government order in 2012 to prevent billboards from being nailed to roadside shade trees. Through biodiversity conservation initiatives such as Nakshatravanam, Medicinal Garden and Butterfly Park, Rafi has successfully planted and safeguarded nearly 100,000 saplings in places such as schools, government offices and places of worship.

What is Miyawaki technique?

The Miyawaki Forest, also known as the Miyawaki Method or Miyawaki Technique, is a unique approach to afforestation and ecological restoration developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. It involves the creation of dense, multilayered forests with a wide variety of native tree species in a relatively short period of time.

The Miyawaki forest technique emphasizes biodiversity, rapid growth, and ecological benefits. The forests are designed to mimic the structure and composition of natural forests, promoting healthy ecosystems and providing numerous environmental advantages, such as improved soil quality, increased water retention, improved air quality, and habitat restoration for wildlife.

The method of afforestation usually involves planting saplings together in a small area, speeding up their growth and creating a self-sustaining forest ecosystem. The use of native species ensures adaptation to local conditions and improves the overall ecological resilience of the forest.

How is Miyawaki useful?

The dense foliage of native trees plays a crucial role in absorbing dust particles in the area where the garden is established. These plants also help regulate surface temperature. Some common indigenous plants used in these forests include Anjan, Amala, Bel, Arjun, and Gunj.

Given the ongoing infrastructure projects such as real estate and the construction of the subway in Mumbai, there has been an increase in surface temperatures in certain parts of the city. To meet this challenge, urban forests are being created using the Miyawaki method.