Cement plants adopt Japanese method of tree plantation

JOWAI: With an aim to keep the surroundings green, the cement companies in Jaintia Hills have adopted the Japanese method of tree plantation known as Akira Miyawaki.
The Adhunik Cements, a subsidiary of Dalmia Cement on Saturday last organized a mega plantation drive under the Japanese method at the plant premises at Thangskai. Earlier, Topcem Cement embarked on a similar initiative at its plant in Lumshnong, East Jaintia Hills.
The plantations were guided by officials of the Central Pollution Control Board under the leadership of senior engineer, Santanu Kumar Dutta.
Akira Miyawaki model of forest plantation was developed by Professor Akira Miyawaki, Prof Emeritus in Yokohama National University, Japan.
It is a form of dense plantation to recreate dense native forests. This is done by planting species of Potential Natural Vegetation (PNV), which is selected on the basis of vegetation surveys in nearby ecologically undisturbed areas.
It helps to rehabilitate degraded land, generate and enhance ecological wealth out of native natural resources and in attaining a stable ecosystem.
In Japan, this plantation process has been widely appreciated by both industries and non-profit organizations.
According to Dutta, the initiative was taken to develop environment protection of forests in Northeast.