Inspired by the Miyawaki forestation method, a unique way to create an urban forest pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, we planted 1200 saplings between September and October 2021.

With this method of plantation, an urban forest can grow within a short span of 20 – 30 years while a conventional forest takes around 200 – 300 years to grow naturally. In the Miyawaki technique, various native species of plants are planted close to each other so that the greens receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards than sideways.

As a result, the plantation becomes approximately 30 times denser, grows 10 times faster and becomes maintenance-free after a span of 3 years.

Objectives of tree transplantation:

• To reduce the impact on terrestrial ecology especially the flora present in our work environment (ROW)
• To save plant/​tree species by transplanting
• To protect the environment and prevent soil erosion
• To maintain ecological balance
• To make work environment an eco-friendly zone
• To comply with the University’s sustainable thinking

Preparation and transplantation

During the pre-transplantation meeting, the tree transplanting team is instructed to follow the guidelines:

• Work with full safety gears
• Dig around the tree and do not damage the root ball of the tree
• Plant the tree as soon as possible and dig an adequate hole to accommodate the root ball of the tree.

Summary of tree transplantation

In 2023, we transplanted two coconut (Cocos nucifera) and two Singapore cherry (Muntingia calabura) trees.

In 2022, we transplanted four trees, namely Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Teak (Tectona grandis), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Rosy Trumpet tree (Tabebuia rosea) to the University. The banyan tree was transported over a distance of 18 kilometres.