Shillong— In a bold step toward combating deforestation and climate change, the Meghalaya government has embraced the Miyawaki forest technique, a fast and effective method for growing dense, native forests.
Spearheaded by the Soil and Water Conservation Department, the initiative is part of a wider afforestation push supported by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who has been a vocal advocate for environmental preservation across the state.
Developed by renowned Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the method involves planting native species close together in a layered approach, creating compact forests that grow up to ten times faster than traditional methods. The approach is now being implemented across 25,000 hectares in Meghalaya, with strong participation from local communities.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Sangma visited one such Miyawaki site in Mawsharoh, Ummir in East Khasi Hills district, where a 1.5-hectare forest is currently under development. During the visit, officials from the Soil and Water Conservation Department highlighted how the Miyawaki model is reviving degraded land, boosting biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem services.
The state’s broader conservation framework includes flagship interventions like the Green Meghalaya program and partnerships with various organisations to scale up afforestation efforts. Additionally, the government is providing financial incentives through its Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme to encourage the protection of forest cover by individuals and communities.
The first Miyawaki forest pilot in Meghalaya began three years ago in the Garo Hills and has since shown promising results. Encouraged by the success, the state aims to replicate this model across more districts as part of its long-term green strategy.
“The project will be expanded across the state as one of our main afforestation drives,” said Chief Minister Sangma, reiterating his government’s commitment to ecological restoration and sustainability.
Besides enhancing green cover, the Miyawaki forests offer multiple co-benefits — from sequestering carbon and improving air quality to reducing noise pollution and creating natural habitats for wildlife. With Meghalaya’s fertile soil and favourable climate, experts say the state is well-positioned to emerge as a model for regenerative forest ecosystems in India.
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