Database of Miyawaki forest unit established at KVK Palakkad: A green initiative for climate change mitigation

Miyawaki forest creation, a methodology developed by Japanese botanist Prof. Akira Miyawaki, involves planting trees per square meter which is a promising approach for maximization of green cover and to support biodiversity locally. The present investigation on Miyawaki Model forest unit created at KVK Palakkad was envisaged in preparing a database for 47 different species of saplings that were planted randomly which includes flowering, fruiting, ornamental and medicinal plants. Database prepared represents the native plant species, plant type, life form, tree layer and survival rate that can be used for recommending for a particular locality for further creations of Miyawaki forest. Based on this study, Ficus racemosa (T4), Ficus religiosa (T5), Cassia fistula (T10), Annona squamosa (T15) and Terminalia elliptica (T9) with excellent and good performance came out as candidates for Miyawaki forest. For forest restoration projects, these plants can be recommended as a suitable and proper species to plant in Palakkad district.