In Pithoragarh, a dense forest was cultivated at an altitude of 8,000 feet using the Miyawaki method—a reforestation approach pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. In just four years, this 0.2-hectare plot has seen a remarkable 93% success rate, which officials are calling a record achievement.
Launched by the Uttarakhand Forest Department in July 2020, the project surpasses the previous record for high-altitude Miyawaki forests, set in Italy at 6,000 feet. While Miyawaki forests generally mature within 20-30 years, traditional forests may take anywhere from 100 to 300 years to reach similar levels of growth.
The Miyawaki technique involves selecting indigenous plant species and arranging seedlings in clusters, supported by enriched soil quality. This multi-layered forest now acts as a natural barrier, protecting the mountains from soil erosion, landslides, and other ecological challenges.
The knowledge gained from this forest could shape future restoration efforts across the Himalayas and in similar climates worldwide. In the process, high-quality humus from nearby forests was brought in to improve soil conditions, a necessity given the varied climate, and maintaining soil moisture proved challenging.
The forest team worked year-round to protect the site from wildlife, cattle, and human activities, braving harsh conditions ranging from sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall in winter to rugged terrain and encounters with Himalayan wildlife, including snow leopards.
This forest hosts diverse tree species, including oak, maple, birch, rhododendron, berberis, walnut, Indian horse chestnut, Thuner, Himalayan holly, deodar, and Kharsu. It is also home to rare species like the Himalayan Yew (Thuner) and Kumaon Fan Palm, along with endemic plants such as Chota Kilmoda (Berberis lambertii) and shrubs like Kathbhoj (Betula alnoides).
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