Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 5: In celebration of World Environment Day, the Young Indians (Yi) Mangaluru Chapter achieved a green milestone with the launch of the city’s first Miyawaki Forest at NorthernSky Greenfield Meadows, Surathkal. Spearheaded by the chapter’s Climate Change vertical, this initiative stands as a powerful example of youth-driven environmental stewardship and community-led climate resilience.

The Miyawaki method, developed by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, promotes the rapid and dense growth of native tree species in small urban spaces. These forests grow 10 times faster, are 30 times denser, and require little maintenance after initial establishment offering significant ecological benefits such as improved air quality, reduced temperatures, biodiversity enrichment, and carbon sequestration.

The land measuring 1900 square meters for the Miyawaki forest was graciously provided by NorthernSky Properties at NorthernSky Greenfield Meadows, Surathkal, while the saplings were procured from the Karnataka Forest Department, reinforcing public-private collaboration in environmental restoration. The event was graced by Anthony Mariappa, IFS, deputy conservator of Forests, Mangaluru division, Dakshina Kannada.

The event began with a warm welcome by CA Salome Lobo Periera, chair of Yi Mangaluru, followed by Sharon D’Souza, chair of the climate change vertical, who shared the vision behind the initiative to engage the youth in positive climate action and build a sustainable future through collaborative green projects.

M Athmika Amin, immediate past chair of Yi Mangaluru and regional mentor for the Climate Change Vertical SRTKKA, addressed the gathering and emphasised the importance of the Miyawaki method. She reaffirmed Yi’s commitment to launch many more such urban forestry projects in the near future while also stressing upon the commitment of NorthernSky Properties to foster a green revolution.

The Miyawaki plantation initiative was inaugurated by the event’s chief guest, Anthony Mariappa, IFS, deputy conservator of Forests, Mangaluru Division. Yi members and the team from NorthernSky Properties enthusiastically joined the plantation activity, marking the start of this living, breathing forest.

Addressing the gathering, Mariappa highlighted the pressing need for civil society to support afforestation efforts. With growing urban development leading to tree loss particularly from road widening and infrastructure projects community-led plantation drives are crucial to restoring ecological balance. He also emphasised the role of urban forests in mitigating climate change impacts.

Representing NorthernSky Properties was M Ayushmaan Amin, Deepak Chetty, Navya, Prathibha and Shinny, who conveyed the appreciation and support of Dheeraj Amin, NorthernSky Properties whose vision made the project possible.

As a mark of appreciation, Anthony Mariappa was presented with a memento and formally welcomed as an honorary member of Young Indians Mangaluru.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Durgadas Shetty, co-chair of Yi Mangaluru, who acknowledged the efforts of all stakeholders. Yi Mangaluru extends its heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at NorthernSky Properties for their unwavering support and collaboration in making this green vision a reality.