After bringing Singapore to its zoos, and Shanghai to its infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation now plans to bring Japan to its forests. Having approved the implementation of the Japanese Miyawaki technique of plantation earlier this month, BMC commissioner Pravin Pardeshi this week called for experts to explain this method to ward officials. The Garden and Trees department can then begin work on it. The idea was also shared with MMRDA officials in a meeting between the two agencies.

Miyawaki is a plantation technique that helps faster and denser growth of trees. Pardeshi has thus instructed the garden department officials to involve Miyawaki experts in the panel to aid its Urban Forestry plan that was announced last month. Officials were asked to spot locations suitable for undertaking Miyawaki plantations. Accordingly, certain locations in Kurla, Chandivli, near Bandra fort, Annabhau Sathe garden and step garden at Kandivli have been shortlisted. These are large spaces with an area around 20,000 sq m. The Japanese method of developing plants will ensure 10 times faster and 30 times denser growth, civic officials said.