Mumbai: Consul General of Japan visits Miyawaki plantation site of Metro-3

The Consulate General of Japan visited the Miyawaki plantation site in Goregoan of underground Mumbai Metro 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) on Wednesday.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC), in coordination with Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) commenced its plantation drive in June 2021 using Miyawaki method as part of its compensatory plantation scheme on 3,000 sq. m area at Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Udyan, Goregaon west. The plantation drive was completed within 18 days, as per the MMRC. Around 9003 number of trees of various species were also planted in between the trees.

As the MMRC has completed one year of plantation drive on Wednesday the visit was arranged. At present, the tree species have grown up to maximum 15 to 20 ft. Tree species like Taman, Tree species Taman, Kanchan, Bakul, Savar, Palas, etc. have attained flowering. The plantation is growing into an urban dense forest. The site has started attracting birds, butterflies and insects indicating enhancement of existing biodiversity in the area, the MMRC stated.

According to MMRC the survival of the trees is about 95%. FDCM will be looking after maintenance of the trees for a period of two years which includes irrigation of trees, removal of weeds, application of pesticide to control Jassids and Leaf eating caterpillars to the plant, Staking for support to the trees and Mulching for retaining the moisture.