GREENBELT DEVELOPMENT

Green Belt will be developed over 33% of the plant area. Indigenous trees will be
planted in 4.27 ha. out of the total area of 12.94 Ha. Tree density of 2500 trees per
hectare shall be planted in the greenbelt area. Existing green belt is already developed
in 4.27 Ha. (33% of 12.94 Ha.) with 6000 nos. of trees planted till date. The tree density
of existing and proposed greenbelt shall be maintained at 2500 Trees/ Hectare as per
CPCB guidelines. Additionally, 4675 trees will planted in the existing greenbelt after the
proposed project. The green belt will be maintained every year and more indigenous
trees will be planted in place of plants which are not survived. The interspaces will be
planted with grasses, bushes and hedges with the plants of medicinal value. The tree
species to be selected for the plantation are pollutant tolerant, fast growing, wind firm,
deep rooted. A three-tier plantation is proposed comprising of an outermost belt of
taller trees which will act as barrier, middle core acting as air cleaner and the innermost
core which may be termed as absorptive layer consisting of trees which are known to be
particularly tolerant to pollutants. The design network of green belt is provided in Fig.
1. A detailed year wise budget of Green belt development is provided below.
Table 1: Greenbelt Development plan
Year No. of Trees Additional trees to be Area Budget (Rs.)
(Survival @ planted (in place of covered (@ Rs.
80%) non-surviving trees) (Ha.) 400/Tree)
First 2600 0 12.94 10,40,000
Second 2075 520 10,38,000
Existing 6000 520 2,08,000
plantation
Total 10675 1040 2286000
The total budget of Rs. 23 Lakhs will be spent on the greenbelt development. The yearly
maintenance cost will be approx. Rs. 4.0 Lakhs.
Table 2 Species of Trees and Shrubs proposed in greenbelt
[Link]. Botanical Name Common Name
Trees
1 azadirachta indica Neem
2 saraca indica Ashok
3 michelia champaca Champa
4 mimusops elengi Bakul
5 psidium guava Guava
6 alstomia scholaris Chatina
7 annona squamosa Sitaphala
8 pongamia glabra Karanja
9 peltophorum ferrugineum Radhachuda
10 thespesia populnea Umbrella tree
Large Shrubs
1 thevetia peruviana Kaniar
 2 ervatamia divaricata Tagar
3 hibiscus chinensis Mandar
4 nerium oleander Karabik
5 murraya exotica Kamini
6 cassia fistula Sunari
7 cestrum nocturnum Hena

Fig. 1 Design network of Green belt

Greenbelt Development design

Greenbelt is a set of rows of trees planted in such a fashion, to create effective barrier
between the project and surroundings. The greenbelt helps to capture the fugitive
emissions, attenuate the noise levels in the industry and simultaneously improving
aesthetics of the surroundings. It will be developed as per Miyawaki Method.

The plantation matrix adopted for the green belt development includes pit of 0.3 m x 0.3
m size with a spacing of 1.5 m x 1.5 m. In addition, earth filling and manure may also be
required for the proper nutritional balance and nourishment of the sapling. It is also
recommended that the plantation has to be taken up systematically and the landscaping
aspects could be taken into consideration.

Multi-layered plantation comprising of medium height trees (7 m to 10 m) and shrubs

(5 m height) are proposed for the green belt. In addition creepers will be planted along
the boundary wall to enhance its insulation capacity.

The greenbelt around the industry wall will be developed in keeping view of the
following objectives:

 Planting of trees in each row will be in staggered pattern.

 The short trees will be planted in the first rows and the tall trees in the outer
rows around the purview of the project site.
 Since the trunks of the trees are generally devoid of foliage, it will be useful to
have shrubs in front of the trees so as to give coverage to this portion.
 Sufficient spacing will be maintained between the trees to facilitate effective
height of the greenbelt.
 Plants of native origin, fast growing type with canopy and large leaf index shall
be preferred

Miyawaki Methodology
According to Miyawaki Methodology following steps will be followed for Greenbelt
development:
Step-1: Determine the soil texture and quantify biomass
Soil texture helps determine water holding capacity, water infiltration, root perforation
capacity, nutrient retention and erodibility. Check if the texture is sandy, loamy or
clayey.
What to add to the soil
Perforator materials help to improve perforation and allow roots to grow quickly. For
this, we can use biomass that is spongy and dry in nature. Husk is a by-product and
easily available at grain mills and animal feed stores. Other options include: Rice husk,
wheat husk, corn husk (chipped) or groundnut shells (chipped).
Water retainer helps soil retain more moisture and water, as compared to its natural
water retention capacity. Natural materials such as coco-peat or dry sugarcane stalk can
be used. A good test is to dip the material into water for some time, and take it out and
squeeze. If water oozes out during squeezing, then the material can be used as water
retainer.
Organic fertilisers are required for nourishment. Different materials can be used
depending on region and availability, such as cow manure, goat manure or vermin-
compost. Compared to vermin-compost, manure is a slow nutrient-releasing plant
fertiliser. Manure provides small amounts of nutrients over an extended period,
whereas vermin-compost gives high doses of nutrition initially but very little later on.
Mulch insulates and protects the soil. It prevents sunlight from falling directly on the
soil. Direct sunlight will make soil dry and make conditions difficult for the young
saplings. This is especially important in the first 6-8 months, as the plants are young.
Mulch also plays a huge role in preventing water from evaporating. Options include rice
straw, wheat straw, corn stalk or barley stalk.

Step-2: Select tree species for plantation

We should try to plant as many species as possible for biodiversity.
 Make a database of all native species of study area. Identify its type (Evergreen,
Deciduous or Perennial), advantages, maximum height and assign layer.
 Check the native species saplings availability in the nursery, their age and sapling
height. Ideal height is 60 to 80 centimeters.
 Major species: Choose five different species to be the major forest species; these
should be the species that commonly find in the study area. This will constitute
40-50 percent of number of trees in the forest.
 Supporting species: other common species of the area will constitute 25-40
percent, and minor native species will make up the rest.
Sample Database
S. Botanical Common Type Advantage Ht. Layer Availability %
No. Name Name 1 2 (M)
1 Azadirachta Neem Evergreen Medicinal 25 Tree Yes 15
indica
2 Delonix Gulmohar Evergreen Shed birds 20 Tree Yes 10
 regia
3 Syzygium Jamun Evergreen Fruit Birds 15 Tree Yes 8
cumini

Step-3: Design the forest

 Master Plan: Identify the exact area for afforestation so as to procure materials
and execute the project. The minimum width of the plantation area should be 3
meters, but 4 meters is recommended.
 Watering Plan: The water pipeline layout may need to be designed by an
architect, based on the daily water requirement for the area, backed by bore
wells and overhead tanks. The forest should be watered regularly for the first 2-3
years.
 Planning Project Execution: We also need to identify spaces such as the
material/sapling/equipment storage areas, site office and resting area for
labourers. There should also be approach roads to the afforestation area for
earthmover access, and to the materials/saplings storage areas for truck access,
if the project area is large.
Step-4: Preparing the area
 Site inspection: Visit the site to determine the feasibility and scope of the
project. Take pictures of the site, and confirm the availability of fencing,
maintenance staff, running water and sunlight. The site should get sunlight for a
minimum of 8-9 hours a day. No pipes/drains/wires or debris should be present
in the area.
 Removing debris and weeds: Weeds take away nutrition of the soil, and also
restrict movement of materials and people. Hence they should be cleaned either
 manually, or using a JCB/Tractor if the area is huge. Ensure that the pulled out
weeds are disposed away from the site; else they may re-grow.
 Watering facility installation: There should be a main line with watering
outlets for hoses, which can reach the entire area of the forest. Watering should
be done everyday manually using a hosepipe with a shower, and not by drip
irrigation, sprinklers etc. The requirement is around 5 litres/sq metre per day.
 Physical demarcation of areas: The areas should be marked (with limestone
powder or wooden peg/rope) before earthwork starts. Ensure that the marking
of areas matches 100 percent with the master plan.
 Making approach roads to marked areas: Clear weed growth, big stones and
boulders. The path could be of any material (soil, sand, gravel, tar etc.), but
trucks/tractors should be able to use it.
 Mound identification: The forests are usually created on 100 sq metre mounds,
and each of these need a serial number in the order in which they will be created.
Only after one mound is created and plantation completed on it, can the next
mound be created.
Step-5: Plat the Trees
 Mixing materials: Perforator, water retainer and fertilizer, all without clumps,
should be mixed together. They should be mixed in the exact ratio as was
decided initially, for each mound.
 Preparing the ground for plantation: Each plantation should be created on a
100 sqm mound. Using an earthmover machine, first dig the earth to a depth of 1
metre on the 100 sqm land. Put half the earth back into the pit and spread it
uniformly. This is to make the soil loose. Mix with the soil half the biomass
prepared in the previous step. Then put the remaining soil back into the pit and
spread it uniformly. Now mix the remaining biomass with this soil evenly.
Afterwards, shape the soil into a mound. In the Miyawaki method, all saplings
will be planted together on a mound, unlike conventional plantations where
individual pits are dug up for each sapling.
 Selecting trees for plantation: Place plants on the mound to create a multi-
layered, natural forest. Try to group plants that grow into different layers –
shrub, sub tree, tree and canopy – in each sqm. Try not to place two trees of the
same kind next to each other; also, don’t follow a pattern while planting the
 trees. Try to maintain a distance of 60 cm between saplings. The goal is to have
random, dense plantation of native tree species.
 Plantation: To plant the tree, dig a small pit on the mound with a trowel, remove
the root bag in which the plant was growing, and gently place the plant in the pit.
Level the soil outside gently around the stem of the plant, but do not press or
compact the soil. There should not be more than 8-10 people on a mound at a
time, since the idea is to plant on loose, aerated soil.
 Support the plants with sticks: Saplings need support during the initial months
so that they don’t droop or bend. Insert support sticks into the soil close to the
plant, without damaging the roots of the plant. For plants shorter than 1 metre,
use 1 metre-long bamboo sticks. For taller plants, use slightly thicker 2-2.5
metre-long bamboo sticks. Tie the sticks to the plant stems using thin jute
strings. Support sticks will be needed for at least every alternate plant.
 Mulching: Mulch should be evenly laid out on the soil, in a 5-7 inch layer. To
ensure that the mulch stays on the ground and does not fly around, it should be
tied down with jute ropes. For this, bamboo pegs should be nailed at the
periphery of the forest. Tie the pegs to each other with rope, pressing down on
the mulch. There should be 30 pegs, each around 2 ft long, around every 100 sqm
mound.
 First watering: The first time, the forest should be watered for an hour.
Minimum water requirement is 5 litres per sqm, or 500 litres per 100 sqm
mound.
Step-5: look after the plantation for three years
 Monitoring: The plantation should be monitored once in 1-2 months, to check if
the targets have been achieved and if any changes should be made to improve
results. This should be done the first 8-12 months. Count the number of saplings
that have survived, and record the data. Growth of selected species should also
be monitored.
 Maintenance:
 Water the saplings with hose pipe once a day.
 Keep the saplings weed-free for the first 2-3 years. Once the saplings
starts growing, weed growth will stop.
  Ensure that the plants stay straight, are not buried under the mulch, and
are only loosely tied to the support stick.
 Keep the plantation clean, and free of plastic, paper etc.
 Maintain proper drainage system so that water does not get accumulated
anywhere in the area. Do not build bunds in the greenbelt area, as
accumulated water can kill plant roots.
 Mortality rate of plants is usually 2-5 percent. Mortality is to be checked
only after 3-4 months of planting.
 Do not use any chemicals like pesticides or inorganic fertilizers. If you
notice pests, leave them undisturbed. The saplings will slowly build its
own mechanism to keep itself healthy.
 Mulching should be maintained for at least one year. The soil should be
re-mulched with time, since dry soil is detrimental to forest health. Also,
never remove organic matter like fallen leaves from the forest floor, as it
will kill good soil microbes.
 As the tree grows taller, longer support sticks may be needed so that the
tree shoot does not bend and become weak.
 Never cut or prune the forest as it could make the forest weaker.

Post plantation care

Immediately after planting the seedlings, watering will be done. The wastewater
discharges will be used for watering the plants during non-monsoon period. Further
watering will depend on the rainfall. In the dry seasons watering will be regularly done
especially during February to June, especially more frequently of younger saplings.
Manuring will be done using organic manure (animal dung, agricultural waste, kitchen
waste etc.). Younger saplings will be surrounded with tree guards. Diseased and dead
plants will be uprooted and destroyed and replaced by new saplings. Growth/health
and survival rate of saplings will be regularly monitored and remedial actions will be
undertaken as required