As Delhi grapples with escalating air pollution and shrinking green spaces, Haleon India’s Otrivin Miyawaki Urban Forest Project is redefining sustainability and green cover efforts, addressing a pressing public health issue – air pollution. In partnership with Green Yatra, Otrivin’s maker Haleon has transformed public spaces in Dwarka and SGT Nagar into thriving urban forests, using the a Japanese planting technique called ‘Miyawaki’, to create dense and self-sustaining green spaces that provide cleaner air and a healthier environment for residents.

The Mission to Breathe Clean Air: Growing the Otrivin Miyawaki Urban Forests

Forests hold a dearth of life within them, thriving with biodiversity and various plant species, with soil rich with entire ecosystems. Building forests from scratch that too in urbanised areas or cities can take many years, however the Japanese technique developed by botanist Akira Miyawaki, makes this feat achievable.

The Miyawaki technique involves planting a high density of native species very close together to mimic a natural forest ecosystem, resulting in rapid growth and a dense, diverse mini-forest, often used in urban areas to quickly create green spaces with minimal maintenance needs; the key principle is to replicate the natural layering of a forest by using a variety of native trees and shrubs planted close together, forcing them to compete for light and grow upwards quickly, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem. This method promotes the rapid growth of native plant species, enabling the formation of ‘urban forests.’

For a city as densely populated as Delhi, these forests provide an innovative solution to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions, while also restoring the plant and animal species native to the city. The Otrivin Miyawaki Urban Forest project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11, 13, 15, and 17, supporting objectives that prioritize sustainable urban growth, climate action, and biodiversity.

A Breath of Fresh Air in Dwarka:

In Dwarka, Haleon’s commitment has taken root on a 3-acre plot, where 35,000 plants from over 50 native species form a vibrant urban forest. Acting as a carbon sink, this forest is expected to absorb over 770,000 kgs of carbon dioxide each year, a significant contribution toward reducing community exposure to pollutants. Within 2-3 years, this urban forest will become self-sustaining, providing long-term green space that filters the air naturally. By enhancing the city’s green cover, this forest reduces both air toxicity and urban heat, offering Delhiites cleaner air and cooler surroundings. Furthermore, Otrivin is putting up an open-air gym, benches made of eco-friendly material, red sand pathway and bamboo huts to create spaces for local communities to experience the forest amidst the urban centres. Otrivin forest would create access to clean air for local communities and have spaces for elderly and children to rejuvenate.

Expanding Greener Horizons at SGT Nagar

Building on the success in Dwarka, Haleon and Green Yatra have set their sights on SGT Nagar, where a 6-acre Miyawaki forest is underway. Located near Bhalswa village, this forest is not only Delhi’s largest urban forest but also a crucial step in combating pollution near one of the city’s most challenging areas: the waste mountain opposite Bhalswa.

The SGT Nagar Forest will host over 65,000 trees, representing more than 50 native species, such as Adulsa, Sita Ashok, Arjuna, Kusum, and Chilbil. These plantings increase urban biodiversity and combat the Urban Heat Island effect, offering a sustainable shield from rising temperatures. By filtering pollutants, the forest provides fresh oxygen and enhances overall community health and well-being. Expected to absorb 1.43 million kgs of CO₂ annually, this forest will play an instrumental role in reducing Delhi’s carbon footprint.

Haleon India’s Otrivin Miyawaki Urban Forest Project is more than a green initiative; it is a testament to the role corporations can play in driving sustainable development and improving public health. By creating these urban forests, Otrivin is making it possible for Delhi residents to “Breathe Clean” and experience the transformative impact of enhanced green spaces in their everyday lives. Through innovative urban greening, Haleon India and Green Yatra are contributing to a vision of Delhi as a city where clean air, health, and sustainability are within reach for all.

This ambitious initiative lays the foundation for future projects aimed at protecting our planet and promoting well-being in urban environments. As the Otrivin Miyawaki Urban Forest Project grows, it sets a model for other cities in India—and the world—to follow.