To restore the site into a thriving green space, approximately 2.35 lakh native and fast-growing trees were planted using the Miyawaki technique.
It is a feel good story that can become a source of inspiration for cities burdened with dumpsites and tonnes of legacy waste.
Transformation of a decades-old dumpsite into a 20-acre green urban forest in Rajkot is an example of this transformative initiative, offering scope for replication in other cities and regions facing challenges like legacy waste, land degradation, and environmental restoration.
According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the city generates approximately 700 tonnes of municipal solid waste in a day, all of which was being disposed of at the Nakrawadi dumping site.
Over time, the site had accumulated nearly 16 lakh tonnes of legacy waste.
The Rajkot Municipal Corporation undertook a landmark effort to remediate the site, aiming not only to eliminate the waste but also to transform the area into a clean, green urban forest under the “Lakshya Zero Dumpsite” initiative led by it ministry, states its official statement
However the remediation was a difficult process starting with a detailed survey to assess the legacy waste, followed by processing using advanced machinery, segregation of refuse-derived fuel (RDF), semi-compost, and inert materials.
The RDF was transported to the waste-to-energy plant in Jamnagar, inert materials were sent to a Secured Landfill Facility (SLF), and over 50,000 tonnes of semi-compost were used for land leveling and soil enrichment.
To restore the site into a thriving green space, approximately 2.35 lakh native and fast-growing trees were planted using the Miyawaki technique.
The Miyawaki technique is a method of forest restoration developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. It involves planting a variety of native tree species very close together in a small area, creating a dense, biodiverse forest that grows much faster than traditional methods. This technique is particularly effective in urban areas where space is limited, according to experts .
Meanwhile, to ensure sustainable water management, water-harvesting ponds were created for groundwater recharge, and drip and sprinkler irrigation systems installed to optimize water use and support the plantation.
Planners faced challenges like managing over 16 lakh tonnes of mixed and compacted waste—its segregation and processing. The heavy contamination required extensive land preparation and soil enrichment. Workers and nearby residents were also affected by foul odours and air pollution, posing health risks. Monsoon rains also disrupted operations and the need for a steady supply of treated water for plantation required the laying of a 12 km pipeline.
But the gains too were multiple—significant financial, social, and environmental impacts and resource conservation by recycling legacy waste into useful products and reducing the need for raw materials.
The project also ensures health and safety by improving air quality through afforestation, waste processing and creation of green spaces.
On the economic front, the transformation of waste into energy, compost, and other value-added products generates new income streams, supports eco-tourism, and reduces the local government’s financial burden for waste management, officials said
