India’s urban centres promise healthy growth momentum, consumption trends, and opportunities. The workforce is scaling new heights, boosting the national productivity. However, a certain persistent issue torments public health, all while reducing quality of life: deteriorating air quality indices. Every year, as winter settles in, and so does the complex cloud of air pollution. Our urban centres, particularly the national capital continues to battle this impending threat to health. Oxygen powerhouses like Haleon’s Otrivin Udyan are designed to absorb this excess carbon, heat and dust.

At Haleon, we are deeply rooted in our purpose of Delivering Better Everyday Health with Humanity. Phase 3 of Economist Impact’s Health Inclusivity Index (HII), supported by Haleon, highlights the power of health literacy and inclusive healthcare in reducing the economic burden of poor health. It explains how meeting WHO air quality guidelines can save millions of lives and $11.8 billion in annual economic benefits for India.

Moving the needle through sustainable green zones

As a powerful step in the right direction, few years ago, Haleon had launched Otrivin Udyan The Miyawaki Urban Forest Project under Otrivin’s Breathe Clean initiative. Through Otrivin, Haleon continues to prioritise better health outcomes for respiratory health, providing quick and effective relief. The Otrivin Udyan Miyawaki project in partnership with our CSR partner Green Yatra echoes the same sentiment at a larger scale. These biodiverse hotspots serve as oxygen banks that absorb carbon and promote climate resilience. This project also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It’s magnificent to witness the transformation of a once barren land into a thriving Miyawaki forest, reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainability and well-being.

Championing public health with dense green zones

Miyawaki forests are one of the most promising approaches to cultivate better air quality and creating healthier urban spaces. We currently operate and maintain two such forests around Delhi: One in Dwarka and the other in SGT Nagar. So far, we have planted over 1,00,000 trees across nine acres that are collectively absorbing over 22 lakh Kilogram of CO₂ annually. The Otrivin Udyaan in Dwarka and The Otrivin Plantation in SGT Nagar are now home to thousands of native trees providing clean fresh air to the community.

Decoding the Miyawaki technique

Developed by Dr. Akira Miyawaki, a renowned Japanese botanist, the method involves planting a densely packed, diverse mix of native tree species in a small area, replicating the natural layering and structure of a mature forest ecosystem.

Native trees are naturally suited to the local climate and soil, making them more resilient to pests, diseases, and changing weather patterns. Miyawaki forests have many benefits, such as reducing air and water pollution, preventing soil erosion, and increasing biodiversity.

The results are remarkably fast: Miyawaki forests grow up to ten times quicker than conventional plantations, becoming dense, biodiverse green pockets in a fraction of the time. After just 2–3 years of care, these forests become fully self-sustaining, making them exceptionally well-suited for modern urban landscapes seeking long-term, low-maintenance ecological solutions.

Carbon sinks that cultivate health for humanity

On a 3-acre plot in Dwarka, Haleon has planted 35,000 trees from over 50 native species. The self-sustaining Otrivin Udyan Miyawaki forest is offering cleaner air, reduced urban heat, and a rejuvenating space for local communities. Amenities like an open-air gym, bamboo huts, eco-benches, and red sand pathways make it accessible to children and the elderly alike.

The benefits of the Miyawaki urban forests go beyond absorbing carbon alone. These natural carbon "sinks" are also capable of filtering pollutants out of the air and generating clean oxygen to enhance air quality.

A Model for Urban India—and Beyond

For a national capital struggling to find solutions to combat worsening air quality, self-sustaining and sustainable solutions like Miyawaki forests are a beacon of hope amid the smog. It’s a replicable model for sustainable urban development and strengthening the public healthcare infrastructure.

With India’s robust policy framework and skilled government at the helm, public health continues to witness innovative solutions and better health outcomes. However, we must come together to explore newer avenues and solutions to urban problems. The Miyawaki technique is one example of how purpose and innovation can deliver promising outcomes. By fostering these green pockets, we not only reclaim ecological balance but also reaffirm our commitment to healthier and resilient communities. The time to act is now, because access to clean air is a fundamental and universal right.