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

1. Site Survey & Soil Testing
   • Identified compaction, low microbial activity
   • Added compost, cocopeat, and mycorrhizae
2. Species Selection
   • Neem, Amaltas, Sheesham, Kachnar, and Ber
   • Chosen for biodiversity, shade, and cultural relevance
3. Community Mobilization
   • Volunteers from hospital staff, local schools, and NGOs
   • Sapling sponsorships and planting drives
4. 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.