The Tiruchi City Corporation has taken steps to raise Miyawaki forests across the city as part of its efforts to enhance green cover and reduce the impact of rising temperatures.

In its 2026-27 budget, the civic body has earmarked ₹15 crore from its General Fund for the initiative, allocating ₹1.50 crore for each Miyawaki forest.

The Corporation at present maintains about 310 public parks, 108 playgrounds, and 39 open-air gyms across its five zones. Over the past few years, it has taken steps to improve green spaces and strengthen the city’s environmental infrastructure.

As part of these efforts, a survey was conducted to assess the condition of public parks and identify those requiring immediate repair and maintenance. Based on the findings, restoration work was taken up in several parks, including the R.S. Puram park at a cost of ₹3.45 lakh and the Beski Nagar park at ₹7.10 lakh.

Following repeated representations from residents, the Corporation restored the park at Anandha Avenue in Ward 18, which had remained neglected with overgrown weeds. After clearing the site, the civic body took steps to establish a Miyawaki forest there at an estimated cost of ₹15.80 lakh. A city-based agency has been entrusted with implementing the project.

Officials said suitable public parks with sufficient land would be identified for developing the Miyawaki forests. Ten locations had been proposed across the five zones, with two parks to be selected in each zone. “The number of saplings to be planted will depend on the extent of land available at each site. We plan to plant about 10,000 saplings in each Miyawaki forest,” an official said.

A variety of native tree species, including tamarind, pungai, vembu, neem, magizham, teak, iluppai, mahogany, and several fruit-bearing species are planned. Workers would be engaged to ensure regular watering and maintenance of the forests to support their survival.