Major urban reforestation initiative scheduled for 2025–26 seeks to expand green cover, biodiversity, and ecological resilience in South Delhi through the Miyawaki approach
New Delhi: The Delhi Forest Department is set to launch a large-scale Miyawaki plantation campaign near the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in South Delhi as part of its continued mission to increase green cover and reinforce urban biodiversity.
Under the proposed initiative, nearly 40,000 saplings and 20,000 shrubs—bringing the total close to 60,000 plants—will be planted over the coming year.
Plantation Initiative Scheduled for 2025–26
As per a tender notification released by the South Forest Division, the initiative will be carried out during the 2025–26 phase.
Key highlights of the initiative include:
Large-scale Miyawaki forest creation
Emphasis on dense, rapidly growing native plantations
Improvement of ecological stability in the southern ridge zone
Officials stated that the effort forms part of Delhi’s wider strategy to strengthen green buffers surrounding ecologically vulnerable regions.
Tender Procedure and Important Dates
The Forest Department issued an e-tender for the initiative on May 8 under a two-bid framework.
Key schedules include:
Pre-bid meeting: May 20
Bid submission deadline: May 29
Technical bid opening: May 29
The procedure is intended to ensure transparent selection of agencies responsible for carrying out the plantation campaign.
Focus on Miyawaki Technique for Fast Afforestation
The initiative will employ the Miyawaki plantation method, which is recognized for developing dense forests within a short timeframe.
Benefits of the Miyawaki approach include:
Accelerated growth of native vegetation
Greater survival rate of plants
Enhanced urban biodiversity
Efficient land use in limited spaces
Officials noted that this technique is especially appropriate for urban and semi-urban ecological restoration initiatives.
Reinforcing Green Belts Around Southern Ridge
The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary has already experienced multiple plantation efforts in recent years.
The new initiative is expected to:
Reinforce the green belt in South Delhi
Assist wildlife habitats
Enhance air quality in nearby urban zones
Improve ecological resilience in the southern ridge region
The Delhi government has been consistently focusing on increasing green cover in environmentally sensitive regions.
Project Oversight and Execution
The plantation campaign will be overseen by the Deputy Conservator of Forests, South Division.
Officials stated that the initiative demonstrates the government’s ongoing commitment to urban forestry, biodiversity protection, and sustainable environmental growth.
The extensive Miyawaki plantation campaign by the Delhi Forest Department near the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is anticipated to considerably improve green cover in South Delhi. With 60,000 saplings and shrubs proposed under the 2025–26 initiative, the project represents a significant move toward urban afforestation and ecological restoration in the capital.