Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) has proposed developing dense Miyawaki forest on a 150-acre fly ash disposal site in Faridabad’s Aravalli area, as part of an environmental restoration plan submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday.
The site was previously used to dispose of 40 lakh metric tons (LMT) of fly ash from Faridabad Thermal Power Plant (FTPS).
A committee comprising technical experts from Panipat Thermal Power Plant and District Forest Office examined the site and recommended phase plantations, besides exploring the feasibility of projects to support the infrastructure needs of the area.
A senior HPGCL official, requesting anonymity, said the plantations would help restore the ecological balance of the Aravalli landscape.
“The Miyawaki method will ensure dense growth of local forests within two to three years, improving air quality and groundwater recharge,” the official said, adding that ownership of the land would remain in the company’s hands.
The NGT’s main board had in April directed that the reclaimed site be used for environmental restoration after it is cleared of pond ash.
Faridabad District Forest Officer Jalkar Oyaki said inspections have been conducted and plantations will initially be cultivated on 15 to 20 hectares on a trial basis before launching the large-scale operation.
Forest department officials said the soil health and feasibility of the plantations will first be assessed by analyzing the pH levels, nutrient content and heavy metal concentrations in the remaining ash.
“Based on the test results, suitable local species will be selected for the plantations,” Oyaki said, adding that survival rates and growth patterns will be monitored before the plantations are expanded across the entire 150-acre reclaimed site.
The Forest Service will undertake this work as part of its annual farmer targets, incorporating cost estimates into the annual farmer plan.
Officials said that vigorous and exotic plant species had earlier survived at the site, resulting in a flora different from the natural ecosystem of the Aravalli. Instead, the proposed plantations will use resilient native species under the Miyawaki Method to help restore the area’s natural forest ecosystem.
