If competition leads to excellence in humans, why not with trees? With this idea, the Tirupati Urban Development Agency (TUDA) proposed developing a park with high density plantations with the greater goal of environmental management and carbon dioxide reduction.
The idea is simply based on the concept of “survival of the fittest”.
Random seedlings are planted in the immediate vicinity, ie at a distance of half a meter, so that those who really deserve not only survive, but also emerge strengthened. The concept was introduced in Japan in the 1980s by Akira Miyawaki, a renowned botanist and expert in plant ecology, as a new and innovative approach to reforestation. The seed specialist used native plant varieties and recommended an unusually dense plantation to spark the competition.
The technology worked worldwide, regardless of soil or agro-climatic conditions. The TuDA has set itself the task of developing a park in Avilala panchayat, which is adjacent to Tirupati, which is touted as a “mini forest”, in which a total of 4,200 plants with 130 species will live on a small area of 1 , 3 hectares cultivated.
A similar attempt has been made in the past by the Forestry Department in Vijayawada, Srikalahasti and near Naravaripalle. However, this is the first time that an urban development agency has taken on the challenging task.
Native plants
“We grow native plants such as Maredu, Bandaru, Peddamanu, Udaga, Chigara, Panasa, Adavinimma, Kanchanam, Pasupu Veduru, Bandiga Gurivinda, Velaga and Bommalamarri in this park, ”says TUDA chairman Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy. Such trees with a wider canopy will ensure the development of an entire ecosystem, including microbes, worms and insects, reptiles and birds.
“Miyawaki Parks”
Due to its success, more such “Miyawaki parks” are being developed across TUDA borders, adds Deputy Chairman S. Harikrishna, pointing out plans to create such urban forests in Tiruchanur and Srikalahasti. TUDA invested only £ 10 lakh in the borehole and drip irrigation network as the seedlings were supplied free of charge by Andhra Pradesh Greening and Beautification Corporation. The existing soil was replaced in equal parts by fertile topsoil, coconut peat, vermicompost or cow dung and rice husk.