Step-by-step story of how one hospital acre became a thriving forest
Introduction
In the heart of a bustling city, where concrete dominates and green feels distant, a hospital in Lahore held a hidden opportunity — one acre of unused land. What began as a sterile patch of soil is now a living, breathing Miyawaki Forest, thanks to community support and ecological vision.
The Miyawaki Method – A Quick Primer
Developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki, this method involves:
- Planting native species densely and randomly
- Enhancing soil with organic compost and microbial boosters
- Creating multi-layered vegetation: canopy, sub-canopy, shrubs, and ground cover
- Zero chemical use — just nature doing its thing
This technique grows forests 10x faster and 30x denser than conventional methods2.
The Hospital Site – From Grey to Green
Before:
- 🏥 One acre of compacted soil behind the hospital
- 🚧 Surrounded by walls, minimal sunlight, no biodiversity
- 🧱 Used for waste dumping and occasional parking
After:
- 🌿 Over 3,000 native trees planted
- 🐝 Pollinators, birds, and insects returned
- 🌡️ Local temperature dropped by 2–3°C
- 🚶♀️ Patients and staff now walk, rest, and reflect in the shade
Step-by-Step Transformation
- Site Survey & Soil Testing
- Identified compaction, low microbial activity
- Added compost, cocopeat, and mycorrhizae
- Species Selection
- Neem, Amaltas, Sheesham, Kachnar, and Ber
- Chosen for biodiversity, shade, and cultural relevance
- Community Mobilization
- Volunteers from hospital staff, local schools, and NGOs
- Sapling sponsorships and planting drives
- Planting & Maintenance
- Planted in 1m² grids, 3–5 saplings per grid
- Watered manually for first 2 years, now self-sustaining
Impact on Urban Biodiversity
This forest is now a micro-ecosystem:
- 🐦 Hosts over 20 bird species
- 🐞 Insect diversity increased by 40%
- 🌼 Native flowering plants attract pollinators
- 🌳 Soil health improved — earthworms returned!
Call to Action
If one acre can become a forest, imagine what 100 acres could do.
Support our Urban Forest Expansion Plan — let’s turn hospitals into healing habitats.