A garbage dump that metamorphosed into a lush mini-forest

Context

In a complete transformative example, a dead plot in the chengannur in Alappuzha district of Kerala was converted into a mini forest.

About the news

The region had a garbage dump of nearly 0.15 acres of land. Presently, it resembles a teeming forest ecosystem with trees, plants, small mammals, snakes and chirping birds.
The mini-forest on 15 cents of land is now home to 176 trees and plants of 116 species, including several rare, endangered and threatened ones.
It has been now completely transformed into a microhabitat.

Microhabitat

A microhabitat is a small area which differs somehow from the surrounding habitat.
Its unique conditions may be home to unique species that may not be found in the larger region.

Afforestation measures in India:

The conservation and development of forest primarily involves three strategies – afforestation through natural/artificial regeneration, protection and management.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is implementing three major schemes for development of forest areas i.e.
- National Afforestation Programme (NAP) scheme: NAP is being implemented for afforestation of degraded forest lands.
- National Mission for a Green India (GIM): GIM aims at improving the quality of forest and an increase in forest cover besides cross-sectoral activities on a landscape basis.
- Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM): The FFPM takes care of forest fire prevention and management measures.

Miyawaki technique of Urban Afforestation

The Miyawaki technique, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, helps build dense, native forests.
It is based on natural reforestation principles, i.e. using trees native to the area and replicating natural forest regeneration processes.