Around five months ago, a remarkable environmental initiative took root at the campus of Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science (SGSITS) in Indore. A dense forest, created using the Miyawaki technique, was established over an acre of land.
This forest features endangered tree species native to Indore and its surroundings. In a bid to rejuvenate local biodiversity, about 8,200 saplings representing about 65 species were meticulously planted as part of this ambitious project in February this year.
The Miyawaki method is an afforestation technique for cultivating fast-growing groves of native plants, with the dense, mixed planting intended to simulate the layers of a natural forest.
SGSITS has developed the first-ever Miyawaki forest on a college campus in Madhya Pradesh, according to sources. The initiative has championed the revival of extinct species such as sona patha, garuda tree, kumbhi, gabadi, black rosewood, palash, paddy, khat, anjan, tensa, haldu, kusum, and shami.
Rapid Growth and Biodiversity Flourish
In just five months, these saplings have already shown significant growth, reaching heights between 6 to 8 feet. The Miyawaki forest is expected to fully mature in 1.5 to 2 years, creating a thriving ecosystem. This burgeoning forest has already started attracting a variety of wildlife. Currently, 25 bird species and 12 butterfly species have made this forest their home, along with several species of snakes.
Overcoming Monitoring Challenges with Drone Technology
As the forest flourished, the challenge of monitoring such a dense and bio-diverse area became apparent. Traditional methods of tree monitoring proved inadequate for this purpose. However, this challenge is being addressed with the innovative use of drone technology. Drones equipped with cameras and sensors will now oversee the forest from above, providing detailed aerial views and valuable data on tree growth and health.
SGSITS Director Dr. R.K. Saxena highlighted the involvement of third-year engineering students in developing these drones. These new drones, designed to monitor the one-acre Miyawaki forest, will be created within a budget of Rs 70,000 to Rs 2,00,000. This project not only showcases technological ingenuity but also emphasizes cost-effectiveness.
Student Innovation and Technological Development
Three enterprising students from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Aaradhya Sharma, Jayesh Kumar Sharma, and Manan Mahendra, are spearheading the drone technology development. The drones they are working on will be capable of flying up to a height of 15 meters and will be manually operated.
Given the density of the Miyawaki forest, manual monitoring is impractical. To facilitate drone monitoring, the trees were tagged with unique numbers during the forest's establishment. This tagging system will simplify the process of monitoring the trees. The drones will conduct comprehensive inspections, identifying plants that need attention—whether they are drying up, flowering, or bearing fruit. This targeted approach will ensure that the necessary care, such as watering and nutrient application, is efficiently administered to each plant.
Multifaceted Utility of Drones
The development of these drones is expected to take about three months. However, once completed, these drones will not only monitor the forest but also have additional applications. They can be used for seed ball dropping, which can aid in further afforestation efforts, and for parcel delivery, demonstrating the versatility of the technology.
The creation of the Miyawaki forest at SGSITS represents a significant stride towards environmental conservation and biodiversity enhancement in Indore. The rapid growth of the forest and its attraction of various wildlife species underscore the success of the Miyawaki technique.
By integrating cutting-edge drone technology for monitoring and maintenance, SGSITS is setting a precedent for how technological innovation can support and enhance ecological initiatives. This project is a testament to the power of combining environmental science with engineering ingenuity, providing a model for future conservation efforts.
The college is also towards achieving a Guinness World Record for developing the ‘largest man-made forest inside an engineering college campus’.The ambitious project seeks to reintroduce and preserve endangered tree species native to a 40 to 50 kilometre radius around Indore.
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