Delhi's Lodhi Colony is set to get a Miyawaki forest. What is it?
Lodhi Colony in Delhi, once known largely as a government residential neighbourhood, is now one of the capital's more recognisable walking-and-wandering spots. Thanks to its colourful murals, cafes, markets and the popular Lodhi Art District. The neighbourhood's walls have become backdrops for photographs, fashion shoots, community building events, and leisurely walks.
Now, along with the colours, one might find a little more green cover.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has started developing a Miyawaki forest β a Japanese technique for urban forestation β here. Spread across one acre, the project, named Bharat Van, aims to turn a patch of the neighbourhood into a dense urban forest. Bharat Vann, a Miyawaki forest project, was inaugurated at Lodhi Colony Park in Delhi. (Photo: X/IIFCL)
The project was inaugurated on September 17 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who planted the first sapling in a park in Lodhi Colony along with NDMC Chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi and Vice-Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal.
"In this one-acre area, more than 10,000 plants have been planned. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative is also being joined by team members and school children, who will plant and nurture trees. This is a unique project for Delhi," NDMC VC Chahal said, as quoted by ANI. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Bharat Vann in Delhi's Lodhi Colony. (Photo: PTI) "On PM Modi's 76th birthday, today, this programme is being held in Delhi with the NDMC. The project will use indigenous plants suited to the local environment. The area will provide citizens with space for walking, meditation and yoga," Nirmala Sitharaman said.
The project is being supported through CSR funding from the Indian Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), which will also maintain the park for three years.Honβble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the @IIFCL supported #BharatVann #MiyawakiForest project at Lodhi Colony Park, New Delhi, featuring ~10,000 native saplings across 3,000 sq.m.A step towards greener cities and urban biodiversity.#CSR #GreenIndia pic.twitter.com/oFDvBQUkv5β India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. (IIFCL) (@IIFCL) September 17, 2026So, what exactly is a Miyawaki forest?
The method was developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the early 1970s. His approach was rooted in restoring vegetation using species native to a particular area and understanding the potential natural vegetation of that region.
Unlike a conventional park, where trees and plants are usually spaced out, Miyawaki plantations are intentionally dense. Different layers of vegetation - from smaller plants and shrubs to taller trees - are planted together, creating a compact patch of greenery.
The method has since been used in several countries, including in urban areas where there isn't much room for conventional forests. Lodhi Art District (Photo: Unsplash)
The Miyawaki method is often described as a shortcut to creating a forest in a small space. But it isn't quite that simple. According to Mongabay report, research on Miyawaki plantations has found evidence of rapid growth and biomass accumulation in some young sites, while a recent systematic review noted that evidence for several popular claims around the method β including exceptionally rapid growth, biodiversity recovery and self-sustainability β remains limited.
As for Lodhi Colony, the neighbourhood is already popular for its leafy lanes, Lodhi Garden and the Lodhi Art District, and has also become a favourite spot for birdwatchers in the capital. Now, Bharat Vann could add another reason to slow down, explore and spend a little more time in the neighbourhood.- EndsPublished By: Jigyasa SahayPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 14:48 IST
