JAMMU, Sep 2: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), in collaboration with the Urban Forestry Division Jammu, today launched a major Miyawaki plantation drive at the Botanical Garden located behind Tawi Wonderland Park at Bhagwati Nagar.
The initiative marks another milestone in the transformation of the area, which was once a legacy waste dumpsite. Through sustained efforts of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, the accumulated legacy waste was scientifically processed and the site reclaimed, paving the way for its redevelopment into a vibrant public space comprising Tawi Wonderland Park and the Botanical Garden.
As part of the plantation drive, more than 2,200 saplings of diverse native and ornamental species, including Peepal, Banyan, Hibiscus, Ashoka and other suitable varieties, were planted across the site. The plantation is being undertaken under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) using the internationally recognised Miyawaki method, a technique designed to create dense, multi-layered native forests in limited urban spaces.
Unlike conventional plantation methods, the Miyawaki technique promotes the growth of dense micro-forests by planting diverse species close together, enabling faster growth and the development of self-sustaining green ecosystems. Such urban forests play an important role in improving air quality, reducing localized temperatures, enhancing biodiversity and strengthening the ecological resilience of cities.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Dr. Devansh Yadav, IAS, said that the Bhagwati Nagar site is being developed with a larger vision of creating a sustainable urban eco-space for the people of Jammu. He stated that by the end of this year, the entire area is expected to undergo a remarkable transformation, with plans for a dedicated water body, walking tracks, landscaped green zones and recreational spaces where residents can spend quality time during morning and evening hours.
Dr. Devansh Yadav emphasized that the project represents JMC’s commitment to sustainable urban development and demonstrates how environmentally degraded land can be successfully reclaimed and transformed into valuable public assets.
The plantation drive witnessed the active participation of senior officers, including the Joint Commissioner (Health & Sanitation), Joint Commissioner (Revenue & Enforcement) and the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Urban Forestry Division Jammu. The IEC team of JMC, along with the IEC team of technical partner Swaaha, played an active role in facilitating awareness and community participation during the programme, supported by frontline municipal staff and forestry personnel.
Students and volunteers from various schools and colleges also enthusiastically participated in the plantation drive, reflecting the growing involvement of young citizens in environmental conservation and the collective responsibility towards building a greener Jammu.
The initiative is part of JMC’s sustained efforts to expand urban green cover and strengthen Jammu City’s fight against air pollution and rising temperatures. The Miyawaki forest at Bhagwati Nagar is expected to emerge as an important ecological asset and a green lung for the city, while also serving as a powerful example of environmental restoration—transforming a site once associated with waste into a thriving, sustainable and vibrant green landscape for generations to come.