In a significant step towards enhancing the green cover along India’s National Highways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to implement a unique initiative involving Miyawaki plantations. This project will see dense, native forests established on land parcels adjacent to highways at various locations.

Over 53 acres of land have been earmarked for these plantations in and around the Delhi-NCR region. Key sites for the Miyawaki forests include 4.7 acres along the Haryana section of Dwarka Expressway, 4.1 acres near Sohna on the Delhi-Vadodara stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, and approximately 5 acres each at the Chabri and Kharkhara interchanges on NH 152D in Haryana. Other notable locations include over 12 acres at the Shamli bypass on NH-709B, 9.2 acres at the Duhai interchange on the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Ghaziabad, and 5.6 acres near the Meerut-Najibabad section of NH-34 in Uttar Pradesh.

Ground preparation has already commenced at these sites, with planting scheduled for the upcoming monsoon season and expected to be completed by the end of August 2024.

The Miyawaki method, a Japanese approach to ecological restoration, focuses on creating dense, biodiverse forests quickly. These plantations are known to enhance groundwater retention and act as natural barriers to sound and dust. For successful implementation, the NHAI will prioritize planting indigenous species suited to the local climate and soil conditions.

The development of Miyawaki forests will yield numerous benefits, including improved air and soil quality, biodiversity conservation, rapid green cover growth, efficient carbon absorption, soil restoration, and the creation of habitats for local flora and fauna. Depending on the success of this initiative in Delhi-NCR, the approach may be replicated across other parts of the country.

By adopting the Miyawaki method, the NHAI aims to not only improve the health and well-being of citizens living along the National Highways but also enhance the aesthetics and overall commuting experience in the NCR region.