Miyawaki Plantation Launched Over Four Kanals Of Land In Peshawar City
UrduPoint (September 07, 2026) – Around 3,500 plants have been planted across four kanals of land in Bashir Abad area of Peshawar under the Miyawaki method, transforming an urban space into a dense mini-forest designed to grow rapidly and develop into a self-sustaining ecosystem of native species.
The plantation was inaugurated by Provincial Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Meena Khan, under the Peshawar Revitalization Plan.
Muhammad Shakeel, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Peshawar, explained that the Miyawaki method, introduced by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, aims to establish green oases in urban and suburban areas, providing numerous environmental and human welfare benefits.
He described the key objectives of the Miyawaki method as:
- Growing a maximum number of plants in limited spaces, especially in urban areas.
- Utilizing soil conditioning and organic fertilizers.
- Establishing forests in urban areas within a short period, increasing green cover.
In this method, the 3,500 plants are arranged in three layers: large, medium-sized plants, and shrubs. The larger plants have wider intervals, while smaller plants are closer together, with shrubs filling the gaps.
Before planting, the site was excavated to a depth of five feet and filled with fertile soil mixed with canal silt, farm manure, and rice husk for improved soil quality and plant growth.
Shakeel expressed optimism that the desired results of the Miyawaki forest would be achieved within a couple of years. He noted that the mini-forest will enhance green cover in the city and contribute to improving the urban environment by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
According to international estimates, around 1,000 plants can absorb approximately one metric tonne of carbon annually. Therefore, the 3,500 plants could potentially absorb three to four metric tonnes of carbon annually.
This initiative marks the first Miyawaki forest project undertaken by the Forest Department in Peshawar and will serve as a pilot project for replication at other suitable locations in the city.
