Delhi’s Lodhi Colony to Get One-Acre Miyawaki Forest With Over 10,000 Plants

Delhi’s Lodhi Colony, known for its public art and heritage surroundings, is set to receive a new urban green space under a Miyawaki forest project being developed by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The initiative aims to create a dense forest-like environment within a relatively small urban area. The project, named Bharat Van, will cover around one acre and is planned to include more than 10,000 native plants. The initiative was inaugurated on September 17, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman planting the first sapling at the site.

The project is being supported through corporate social responsibility funding from the Indian Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL). The organisation will also be responsible for maintaining the plantation for three years, according to the report. The proposed green space is intended to serve both environmental and recreational purposes. Plans include facilities and open areas that can be used for walking, meditation and yoga, providing residents and visitors with an additional space for outdoor activities in the heart of the capital.

The Miyawaki method was developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. It involves planting native species closely together and creating different layers of vegetation, including trees, shrubs and ground cover. The dense planting technique is designed to encourage faster growth and establish a forest-like ecosystem in a comparatively small area.

The approach has been adopted in several urban locations as cities look for ways to increase green cover where large tracts of land are unavailable. Supporters say densely planted native vegetation can contribute to biodiversity and help create greener urban environments.

However, researchers have also pointed out that evidence supporting some of the stronger claims associated with Miyawaki plantations remains limited. Questions have been raised about how quickly such plantations can develop, their ability to restore biodiversity and whether young sites can become fully self-sustaining over the long term. With more than 10,000 native plants planned for the site, Bharat Van will add another green space to central Delhi while also providing an opportunity to assess the Miyawaki approach in an urban setting.