Thuvakkam

“Be the Change”

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Project Information

Name of the Organization : Thuvakkam NGO

Project Title : Urban Forestry (Miyawaki Afforestation)

Project One-liner : Implementation of mini forest at a specific area using Miyawaki technique

Project Timeframe : Based on Land Area (15 – 30 days for 1000 sq. ft)

Prepared By : Thuvakkam NGO

Attached Documentation : Annual Report (for reference about NGO)

Project Contacts : Krishna Kumar S (+91-9444333624) / Abhirami A (+91-9444494625)

Overview

Urban forestry is a project which uses “Miyawaki” method of afforestation to create miniature forest in a specific

area. This is project done to implement an organic faster growth of a native forest in a locality. In this project the

plants are planted in shorter radius using Miyawaki technique. This increases the growth rate by approximately

10%. Thuvakkam team uses this methodology to create miniature forest at different locations in and around the

city with the help of various other organisations, government agencies and supporters. The whole timeline of the

project and cost of the project depends on the land area where the project is to be implemented.

Introduction

Thuvakkam is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) started in the year 2014 by a bunch of like-minded

college going engineering students. With over 5 years now, Thuvakkam is a rapidly growing organisation

working towards the betterment of society. Thuvakkam works in the fields of Environment, Education and

Humanity. The main change initiatives of Thuvakkam include but are not limited to Pasumai Thuvakkam

(Greenery initiatives), Clean up After Dark, Creative Art Work, Karka Kasadara (Education), Modern Thandora,

Mannin maindhargal (Humanity) and Kural (Positive Journalism).

With over 500+ events completed, 50000+ lives impacted by engaging 18500+ volunteers and clocking 78000+

volunteering hours, Thuvakkam is growing stronger day by day to create the change that it wishes to see in the

society.

Pasumai Thuvakkam, is a greener initiative started out by Thuvakkam to create a sustainable greener

environment. Under this program various projects ranging from Native Tree Plantation/Maintenance,

Kitchen/Herbal Gardening, Seedball Making and Urban Forestry are carried out.

Urban Forestry (Miyawaki), is a greenery initiative which uses “Miyawaki” technique – founded by Akira

Miyawaki which involves growing a variety of Indigenous species of trees to create a naturally resilient forest.

Thuvakkam has adopted this technique and made few changes based on regional environment. The advantages

of this project are that;

▪ Miniature forest can be created starting from a small land area of 1000 sq. ft onwards. ▪ Native trees are chosen based on soil health according to the region.

▪ Soil is enriched with Nutrients using Manure, Water Retainer, Perforator and so on.

▪ Trees are planted at a distance of 2 to 3 feet from each other.

▪ High nutrient and proper maintenance at initial stage will lead to high growth rate at short span of time.

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Thuvakkam has successfully completed over 14+ such projects in a span of 1 year around the southern parts of

India and has showcased in reality the positive change this project can create to the environment and society.

Objective

In the quest to meet our never-ending needs, we humans have cleared forests at a massive scale across the globe

to keep up with urban requirements. The environment has reached a critical state like never seen before. In India

alone the forest and tree cover now stands at 80.73 million hectares—roughly 24.5% of its geographical area,

and still far from the eventual target of 33%, which India has committed to raise to, by 2030 by reports from

LiveMint.

Urban forestry hence thereby aims to ameliorate this issue. The objective of this initiative is to;

▪ Increase Green Cover

▪ Create an Oxygen factory

▪ Improve Bio-diversity

▪ Enrich the soil and its nutrients

▪ Better the livelihood of the environment and society around the forest surrounding.

Methodology

Urban forestry involves planting of native trees closer to each other within a 2 to 3 ft distance after enriching the

soil with rich nutrients. The whole methodology of the project involves three phases. Each process has two main

steps for the implementation of the project.

Phase 1: Land scoping & readiness

At the initial phase, the soil from the selected land is tested and documented. Post the soil test, the suitable trees

sapling for plantation and soil enrichment nutrient are chosen. Once the Documentation is done, the land area is marked and existing soil is excavated and stored. This excavated soil is used in Phase 2. Excavators (JCBs) are

used for digging the soil from the selected land area. A minimum of 3 ft depth is dug to enrich the soil at phase 2.

In picture: Left - JCB digging the soil and getting the land read for phase two, Right - Land post phase 1

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Phase 2: Land preparation

Once the land is ready based on the soil test, soil enrichment nutrients are added in the landed in needed

proportions. This is mixed with existing soil or red soil in the excavated pit based on the type of sand/soil

available at the location. The materials which are usually used for soil enrichment are;

▪ Perforator – Rice Husk / Wheat Husk

▪ Water Retainer – Coco Beat / Saw Dust / Bagasse

▪ Fertilizer – Cow Dung, Manure and Vermicompost

▪ Mulching Material – Straw

In Pictures: Mixing of various components to enrich the soil

Post the soil is mixed with nutrients and enriched, the plantation is planned and the locations of each sapling is

fixed for plantation. Care is taken as to no same family tree saplings are planted together. The reason is when

different family species are planted next to each other there exists a competition between the saplings for sun

and water which helps in faster growth of the sapling.

Phase 3: Plantation & Mulching

Once the land is prepared, the land is ready for plantation. For a land area of approximately 1000 sq. ft, minimum

of 150 trees to Maximum of 250 can be planted. This plantation is distributed layer wise as shown below;

▪ Shrub Layer : 8 to12 %

▪ Sub Tree Layer : 25 to 30%

▪ Tree Layer : 40 to 50%

▪ Canopy Layer : 15 to 20 %

Assign layer: A multilayer forest can have many layers but at said location, Thuvakkam is going to make every tree listed in the database fit into either of 4 layers for easiness in plantation.

Shrub layer Also known as undergrowth, these are small trees which grow up to a maximum of human height or a little taller.

Sub Tree Layer Trees which are taller than human but in comparison to normal trees found in forest are still small

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Tree Layer Common trees based on average height of trees in the said geographical location.

Canopy Layer Trees that grow into giants, these are the tallest trees in the local forest.

For Example, in India the tallest tree grows up to 50 Meters, Shrub Layer = 2-6 Meters, Sub Tree= 6-15 Meters, Tree= 15-35 Meters and everything taller than 35 Meters is Canopy.

In Picutres: Plantation at the prepared land area and post mulching

Once the plantation is done at specified location, mulching is done. Mulching is a practice of covering the topsoil

surface with organic materials like straw or grass. This helps in conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility

and health of the soil, reducing weed growth and enhancing the visual appeal of the area.

Timeline

Urban forestry project will take approximately 15 to 30 days for completion. This stated timeline is assumed if

Urban forestry execution is at a 1000 sq. ft land area. Therefore, by the size of the land area the project completion

timeline will vary. In case of Natural calamities or heavy rain, the project work will be postponed to a suitable

time.

Task Number

Process Est. Days of Completion

1 Soil test and Documentation 5

2 Marking and Excavation of soil 3

3 Soil Enrichment 5

4 Plantation planning 1

5 Plantation and Mulching 1

Timeline sample for a 1000 sq. ft land area

Assumption: No complications and setback arise in the project.

Once the project is completed, Thuvakkam team will visit the Urban Forest quarterly/monthly for a year based

on the agreed upon terms for examination and inspection of the place along with maintenance activities as

required.

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Project Requirement

The most important requirement and assurance Thuvakkam expects from the person who owns the land (or)

client for implementing Urban forestry at the said location are;

▪ Daily watering of plant saplings

▪ Adding manure and removal of weed monthly once.

▪ Preventing the forest from domestic animals such as cows and goats.

If the plantation is done properly, methodologically and maintenance of the plantation is done smoothly, one can

expect outcome (forest growth) which are;

▪ 10x Faster growth & 30x More dense

▪ 100% Native trees

▪ 100x More biodiversity

Project Quotation

Urban Forestry Project Implementation

Cost for execution of the Urban Forestry project varies depending on the size of the land area, the soil and other

conditions like geography. Based on the average costs incurred for implementation at different places cost range

is estimated below;

Cost for Project Execution Land Area Cost Per sq. Ft INR 130 - 150

Important Note

1. Costing:

a. Cost varies based on Economy of scale & the soil test.

b. Thuvakkam can execute the project in minimum of 1000 Sq. ft land onwards.

c. Accommodation, Food and Travel charges are not included in the above quote (Considered for

outside Chennai projects only).

2. Project Costing Assumptions:

a. Fencing and Maintenance cost are not added in the above proposal.

b. If Water facility is not available at that place then we have to drill a borewell. Cost of Borewell, Jet

Pump and all other plumbing cost should be payed separately based on need and is not added in

the above said costing.

Payment terms

For Urban Forestry Project execution Payment should be released in 3 Instalments as given below;

1. 40% : Before the start of Phase -1 (Soil testing, Marking and land Excavation)

2. 40% : Before the start of Phase - 2 (Adding Manure, compost and other required materials)

3. 20% : After completion of the project (Plantation)

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Technical Consultation for urban Forest

Cost for Technical consultancy to implement Miyawaki Project is Rs 15* / Per Sq. ft

Note

*Cost varies based on economy of scale.

*Includes all consultation for project execution and maintenance for the period of 2 years.

Payment terms

Consultancy charges Payment for Urban forestry should be released in 2 Instalments as below

1. 50% : Before the start of Phase -1

2. 50% : Before the start of Phase - 2

Payment Details

Thuvakkam is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and hence collect the project cost amount as donation.

Thuvakkam has been accorded approval under section 80G of Income Tax Act through which donors can claim

50% tax exemption on their donation.

Account Details

Account Name : Thuvakkam

Account Number : 34739892385

Account Type : Current Account

Bank Name : State Bank of India

Bank Branch : Mylapore Branch

IFSC Code : SBIN0000965

List of Completed Urban Forestry Project by Thuvakkam

1. 1,500 trees planted at 15,000 Sq. ft at Pasumpon nagar, Thoothukudi with the support of

Thoothukudi corporation.

2. 169 trees at 1,500 Sq. ft at Prabhas Auto products, Poonamalle.

3. 36 trees at 200 Sq. ft at Jain Public school, Thirumudivakkam.

4. 110 trees at 1000 Sq. ft at Tiruvallur Collectorate with District Administration

5. 55 trees at 500 Sq. ft at Uthandi with Mohan Associates

6. 150 trees at 1000 Sq. ft at Turbo Energy Linited, Pulivalam

7. 100 trees in 900 Sq. ft at MIOT Hospital, Manappakam

8. 130 trees in 1000 Sq. ft at Thirumalisai Government School, Thiruvallur

9. 130 trees in 1000 Sq. ft at Keelmanabedu Government School, Thiruvallur

10. 130 trees in 1000 Sq. ft at Thirunindravur Government School, Thiruvallur

11. 12,500 Sq. ft at Mysore with Flamingo Properties (Ongoing)

12. 450 trees at 3000 Sq. ft at Prabha Auto Product, Ponammalle

13. 15,000 Sq. ft at Blooming garden, Moulivakkam with Greater Chennai Corporation (Ongoing)

14. 160 Sq. ft at TTV Residence, Adyar

15. 220 Sq. ft at TTV Residence, Adyar

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Success Showcase

Showcase 1

1,600 trees covering 15,000 Sq. ft at Pasumpon nagar, Thoothukudi with the support of Thoothukudi

corporation.

Showcase 2

169 trees covering 1,500 Sq. ft at Prabhas Auto products, Poonamalle, Chennai.

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Showcase 2

40 trees covering 200 Sq. ft at Jain Public school, Thirumudivakkam.

Reference Contacts

Will be provided on request.