The major effects of deforestation are Soil erosion, decrease in rainfall, expansion of deserts, loss of fertile land, loss of biodiversity, environmental changes (Global Warming), etc. In order to lower the temperature, and reduce air and noise pollution, Restore Biodiversity (attract local birds, animals, and insects), which helps build dense, native forests in a short time.

We are losing our green cover and biodiversity so to overcome this problem we need to do plantation in a strategic way to harness the maximum benefits from a small piece of land. So, the Miyawaki Technique of the plantation and agroforestry plantation model adopted in our programmes

Miyawaki Forests:

In the previous year (2021-2022), 58 Miyawaki Forests were developed in the project area in which the survival rate of the plants is the maximum number. Now this year we planned to plant more and more trees.
1. The benefit of the Miyawaki Technique has proven to work worldwide, irrespective of soil and climate conditions.
2. Approximately 30 times more trees were planted, as compared to conventional plantation techniques.
3. A minimum of 300% more species in the same area as compared to conventional plantation species.
4. Up to 30 times or more Carbon-dioxide absorption as compared to conventional forest.
5. Guaranteed growth of at least 1 meter every year, in tree height. 6. A completely maintenance-free, wild, and native forest after the first three years.
7. A completely chemical-fertilizer-free forest that sustains itself and supports local bio-diversity.

Agroforestry:

As the global community battles the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasingly clear that building back better environment will require a quantum shift in the approach to disaster preparedness, Tree cover on farms has the potential to make an important contribution to climate change mitigation & improve oxygen level. Trees can maintain soil organic matter and biological activity at levels satisfactory for soil fertility. Along with this the tenant farmers who take the agricultural land on lease from other farmers, will not concentrate on soil health improvement. That is how soil health is deteriorating leading to lower incomes.

Farmers are more prone to climate change effects since they are completely dependent on water and land. Especially in Punjab, the soil quality and water levels are decreasing at a very faster rate. The dependency on groundwater is also very high and producing sufficient food grains (Paddy/Wheat) is also directly related to groundwater pumping. Other than these crops’ alternate livelihoods, in the event of crop failure is also very much limited. So, mobilizing the farmers towards Agroforestry brings momentum to soil quality improvement and insurance against main crop failure.

Interventions:

(i) Paired Row Plantation Model:

Trees are planted in paired rows leaving a wide gap of 8.5 m between rows to allow for growing food crops.

(ii) Bund Plantation Model:

Aims to fuel wood self-sufficiency in productive agricultural lands.