FIRST URBAN FOREST IN A RESIDENTIAL TOWNSHIP USING MIYAWAKI TECHNIQUE LAUNCHED ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
By Varun Singh
COVID-19 has changed the outlook of the world, even when it comes to the real estate industry as people are now seeking properties that lay emphasis on green practices. JP Infra Mumbai Private Limited, a prominent real estate developer in Mumbai, has gone one step ahead by undertaking the Japanese technique of Miyawaki forest to raise a natural urban forest within the ~11,000 square feet premises in its iconic project, JP North Garden City (NGC) in Mira Road. With the plantation of more than 3200 trees of 52 varieties of plant species, the urban forest will help to curb pollution, and improve air quality along with the quality of life of the residents.
Being the first developer in Mira-Bhayandar to incorporate an urban forest as an integral part of its project, JP Infra is promoting various environmental & green initiatives toward sustainable living owing to World Environment Day.
Talking about the need for sustainable homes, Deepak Nair, Head, Marketing, JP Infra Mumbai Private Limited, said, “While formulating this project, our constant endeavor is to connect our customers with nature while offering a peaceful environment that fosters better mental health, sustainability and well-being. The natural urban forest in JP North Garden City is designed in such a way that the residents will experience their lives amidst nature. JP Infra has always been cognizant of its responsibilities towards the society and conscious about the environment, hence we are taking green initiatives believing the fact that there is no future without nature. We will continue to take green initiatives since we believe that home extends to life. It’s important to coexist and build a correlation with nature.”
Actress Bhagyashree Patwardhan, who was part of the inaugural event, said, “We are witnessing a drastic climate change and deforestation remains one of the main reasons for this. We also have urban areas which lack adequate green space. JP Infra’s initiative to build a natural urban forest inside a residential project remains a unique effort and proves hugely beneficial to its residents. It is a huge relief to see a natural forest in the midst of a massive project at JP North Garden City, Mira Road. JP Infra is leading the way in adapting to a sustainable lifestyle. I am delighted to be a part of this initiative.”
In collaboration with Afforestt, an enterprise on a mission to bring back lost forests we will see the emergence of a natural forest in NGC, using the Miyawaki technique for planting trees that grow into a 30 times denser forest in just two to three years. The technique consists of six steps that begin with a survey of the soil to assess physical texture, organic carbon, soil pH, and other factors. It also helps to lower the temperature, make the soil nutritious, support local wildlife, and improve air quality by lowering the carbon footprint.
The massive JP North Garden City includes an urban forest & 16 lifestyle themed gardens such as Fruit Garden, Herbs & Spice Garden, Zen Garden, Butterfly Garden, Maze Garden, Sensory Garden, Senior Citizen Garden, Yoga/ Meditation Garden, Community Garden, and many more. These planned green spaces are the critical places for social well-being with the help of social integration, participation, and engagement.
JP Infra clearly exemplifies the critical role that real estate plays in driving and advancing sustainability, which is a top priority across the world. This includes not only energy conservation, but also resource use, environmental impact, and residential living conditions.
Among the many green elements that homebuyers seek today when investing in communities, is increased green cover. Shubhendu Sharma, Founder, Afforestt shared, “This forest of life has the most authentic mix of indigenous species. Which means, that as the forest grows all forms of life will start coming back to it, you will be able to spot the birds, bees and butterflies which are otherwise not seen in urban spaces due to loss of their host trees. I congratulate the visionary leadership at JP Infra for such an initiative. It will provide the residents clean air and a calm and noise-free space to relax and unwind in nature, within the premises.”
With more than half of India’s 2030 building stock yet to be built, the real estate industry has enormous potential to go green and reduce the ever-increasing operational energy requirements to reduce carbon emissions. And JP Infra Mumbai Private Limited has just shown how to do that with its iconic urban forest residential project in North Garden City.
