Ch:1 | Introduction to Forest Creation Series | Forest Creation Tutorials | English

At Afforestt, we went open source in 2015 and released textual documentation for all our forests creation projects worldwide. However, soon we realised that not everything could be covered and communicated in text alone. So in 2020, we decided to run a Kickstarter campaign to create video documentation of the methodology in different languages. We are incredibly grateful for the wholehearted support we got from people across the globe. This is the first video tutorial out of the many we will be making and publishing in the future. We have explained the generic methodology of creating forests in these tutorial videos. We believe that if there is any evidence of a forest ecosystem having existed in a particular region, even before humans inhabited it, then we can recreate the same forest ecosystems using this methodology. We hope you like these videos and find them helpful in bringing back our lost forests.
After completing our Kickstarter campaign successfully in March 2020, we could not immediately start the project due to COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions. We wanted to create forests and shoot the process in various countries and geographies. So we decided to start our first round of video shooting in August 2020. However, we found the process much harder than we expected. It took more time than planned to complete the video shoots and create these video tutorials. We now present to you the first set of tutorials.
We shot these videos in Village: Patto Hira Singh, Moga, Punjab. It is a semi-arid region with tropical dry deciduous forests and an annual rainfall of around 498 mm. In these tutorials, we discuss the forests of this region and how to survey and choose soil amendment material based on local climatic conditions. However, with basic guidelines being the same, one can get a fair idea of forest surveys and choosing biomass materials for their region.
We primarily focus on bringing back lost forest habitats that existed a few hundred years ago before human intervention destroyed them. Our work does not focus on forest creation for carbon sequestration, harvesting timbers, paper, agroforestry, or other plantation modules prescribed in mainstream forestry. This methodology of forest creation focuses purely on biodiversity and ecological restoration. However, Carbon sequestration, reduction in local temperature, improvement in humidity, soil fertility and groundwater recharge are some of the significant impacts of these forests.
Word of caution: The forests we make look like natural forests. However, they still are man-made, or quasi-natural. They will start to look like old natural forests in a few years and even attract similar biodiversity. But these are in no way superior to natural old-growth forests. These forests should not be considered as the substitute for natural forests that have grown over a few hundred years. Thus, Forests made by natural succession are irreplaceable. The forests we make are a great substitute for lawns, gardens, or any other form of monoculture plantations. Removing natural forests and doing compensatory afforestation using this methodology should never be considered. Conserving existing old-growth natural forests is critical. In fact, natural forests are essential for our work, as they offer genetic material in the form of seeds of native flora for our projects. Thus, our foremost responsibility and duty is to conserve old-growth natural forests as there is no substitute for them.
Afforestt ( www.afforestt.com) is an eleven-year-old company. We specialise in making native forests, especially in urban areas. We have been lucky to have trained and worked under some of the best ecologists, including Dr Akira Miyawaki. Our methodology is based on the theory of Potential Natural vegetation and Potted seedling methodology, commonly known as the Miyawaki method. These videos use the Potted seedling method with few added layers to improve soil microbiology. They utilise Afforestt's research and development from various geographies spread across sixteen countries and four continents. The study took over 11 years and several interactions with other prominent ecologists of India and abroad.
These videos are narrated by Shubhendu Sharma ( Founder, Afforestt) and Gaurav Gurjar ( Forest maker at Afforestt). The methodology we are explaining is the result of our standard operating procedure co-developed and compiled through exhaustive research and on-ground implementation by Sunny Verma ( Executive Director, Afforestt.)
How: This video tutorial series is divided into 11 parts and should be watched in this order for better clarity and understanding. Names and titles of these videos, in order, is as follows:
Introduction to forest making series.
Forest survey
Nursery setup and procurement of species
Site readiness
Forest design
Soil test and preparation
Compost tea / Jeevamrut
Plantation and execution
Bill of materials
Maintenance
Growth Monitoring

[@ariadnepyanfar1048]

Thankyou from Australia for your excellent presentation. I became bedbound by a chronic illness just as I became interested in Permaculture, rewilding, and land restoration. Videos like yours, and the Water Cup in India are my hope for the world. While I cannot do the work myself, it makes my heart glow with happiness to see so may people around the world actively healing the Earth, for our own sake and the sake of the land itself.

[@purnendupatra1]

God Bless your Heart... Wish that you are back on your feet stronger to pursue what you love

[@bollynerd]

Your deep desire to do good will get you out of your sick bed. Hope to see you soon creating your own food forests!

[@chandranathsarkar1349]

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[@Raquesheety]

May you be well, blessed and healed.

[@LMKTinyForest]

Hope you are healed and go to see my Tiny Forest. Big heart from Thailand

[@RK-es8oj]

Government should encourage these people 🤝👌👍

[@GraceDollesin]

I started turning my backyard into a mini forest. I have a 100 feet by 80 feet backyard. I have planted 5 Japanese Maple Trees, 14 pine tress (15 feet tall now), Alberta spruce , burning bush trees, lilacs, maple trees, moringa trees. I love trees. My waterfall Japanese Tree Is now my de-stressing tree. I lay down under my waterfall Japanese Tree relax and make myself grounded. I love trees and birds.

[@yerbolkozhabekov3855]

Hi. Thanks for you job. I will make forest with your instruction in Kazakhstan Insha Allah

[@mohannair5671]

All the very best for anearly success

[@xandercage702]

Insha ALLAH ❤️❤️❤️🇵🇸❤️❤️❤️

[@AyanSeal10000]

Thank you sir for your initiative 🙏🏻🙏🏻 love from India 🇮🇳❤

[@qugnf5j]

Insha Allah , please keep us posted

[@suchithraraghavan5335]

Jai shree Ram

[@Riteshravikiran]

Bank of Baroda’s initiative is a great reminder of the power of collaboration

[@MariaOliveira-lf1dy]

Thank you very much for all the knowledge that you share with us. I am a farmer living in Portugal. I bought a Quinta with very impoverished soil. with a lot of erosion and unfortunately the land was full of trash. I've already managed to make a vegetable garden and an orchard but this knowledge that you offer us will help me to improve more knowledge in mine plantations. I am a woman from Brazil who immigrated to Portugal and it is a big challenge for me to make this nature more fertile than I found. The soil was full of erosionand very sad. God bless you for doing good to nature and the world.

[@leenakthadani]

Look into electroculture

[@LifetheplantwayTV]

This is one of the greatest video series I’ve ever seen. You have answered my prayers of learning how to do this method properly

[@hgdon-homeiswheretreesare-9239]

Love your forest 🌳 In America, I read that it used to be forest (400 years ago) from East coast to West coast. I would love to have those forests back in America and the world 🌎.

[@dildil9611]

Hello, u creating forest in america..

[@aj295]

Thank you. The akira Miyazaki method and ur guidelines have enabled me to make a semi forest like area in my house. Although it consists of non native plants. I am based in ME where temp reach almost 48C in summers with hot winds Had to create my own rain system to simulate rain and irrigation system After 1.5 yrs have reduced the watering as the trees have grown a bit and shade the area Have also harvested papayas and a few figs thought he birds get most of the figs 😊!!! Thanks again it’s amazing to look into a green verdant view right outside my windows It’s also helped in cooling down the outside area even in peak summers

[@Janardhanpersonal]

World need more people like you because forest is vital to our life

[@chan_for]

I would suggest to add an easy youtube title, which includes keywords like "Miyawaki Forest". Like this video is so valuable but difficult to appear in youtube algorithm because of less relevant title to the searches

[@tanujabhagwat5944]

Amazing presentation and lots of knowledge gained by this video we will surely make it happen!!

[@AmzBackyardOrchardandVineyard]

Greetings from Arizona USA. Thank you for your teachings, we will be applying these techniques very soon!

[@gulshangupta1899]

इतनी सुंदर हिंदी, आपको नमन 🙏🙏🙏🪷 हमारा ज्ञान अधभुत हैं। 🙏🪷🪷

[@rajeshkothari9066]

Extremely impressed by you Mr Sharma. I have been following you since your TED talk. I have few questions......1) Can you combine Permaculture techniques and Miyawaki Techniques ? 2) Can you have Miyakavi forest & fruit/food forest side by side? 3) Do you take volunteers for onsite training & what are your charges?

[@Ana-ws6xj]

I am also interested in travelling to India to learn

[@hasmukhranka8299]

Please share your email ID

[@sam1978eer]

​@@Ana-ws6xjI can help you align with Vinay Kumar, art of living founded by shri shri Ravi Shankar, Vinay is expert of Permaculture

[@SOuLSANCTVARY]

Great job. We are actually doing this in large scale with a decentralized and transparent model.

[@vijayburhadeshilpkar441]

हरि ओम परमानंद धाम ❤very good and helpful person. Netur lover.

[@LMKTinyForest]

I watched your video in TED talks over and over before I started planting trees 5 years ago. Thank you for your great work. Big heart from Thailand

[@KlausRiede]

Didit work? Sendus some videos!

[@NativeNaMangyan]

Thats Very Good my friend

[@chelbelle2005]

Watching on two accounts to give you double engagement. So happy to find your channel.

Thank you for the knowledge from The Philippines.

[@amiyamazudermazumder5301]

God bless you.

[@IanEdmarBelmonte03]

Great content. I love the principles and I'm looking forward to applying it my future food forest. Keep up the great work! Thank you. 🇵🇭🇮🇹

[@Avdesh470]

Wonderful

[@themotivatrbeast6326]

Heart touching work.......hats of to his work and his sacrifice too❤

[@summerjune4269]

Touched by your values and message. Well articulated and hoping more green initiatives come from the smart Indians who can bring in a sea change to past trend of paper-chasing.

[@Raquesheety]

Thank you 🙏 I’m retiring in Nicaragua and starting my native forest. Your instructions will help me a lot in my new project. I’m looking forward watching your next video.

[@jaykobe5722]

This is a very valuable video. thank you.

[@neelendudas4320]

Thank you for guiding us so beautifully and I will follow your guidance.

[@nanwuamitofo]

Greetings and respect from the Netherlands! Very informative and inspiring videos! I'll watch more of them and see how I can apply them in my life and surroundings. Thank you!

[@MohammedZaheeruddin]

Highly appreciable video. Every Tree lover must watch these wonderful series of videos. further in each and every school these series of documentaries must be shown to each and every student. Government must take necessary action to develop these kind of Miyawaki forest ( If possible, fruit bearing forest ) in each and every village for greenery and fresh air and for sustenance of flora and fauna. Further the general public are also requested to preserve the seeds of the fruit which they bring home for consumption and later during rainy season whenever they are traveling must ensure to put these seeds on roadside for its growth. Best wishes from Hyderabad, India

[@InsighBI]

You are doing great work brother.!💜

[@suswsh07]

Beautifully explain 🙏

[@GaganSinghDev]

Thank you and your team for the contribution sir

[@nauticalnovice9244]

What a great method!

[@abhiraja7173]

Excited , cant wait to finish all thr episodes

[@sreejapal183]

This is a wonderfully informative video...Such a practical guide with indepth explanation is truly a rare find even with all the climate change awareness videos around. A solution-oriented video, ending with an apt cautionary-note is indeed a well-thought approach. The host Mr. Shubhedu Sharma deserves special mention for making us understand the technicalities in such a lucid manner. The tone of the video gives us hope for a sustainable future. Thank you !

[@JotsnaPriya]

Very glad you did this

[@prasadkumarg.m7126]

Great salute sir for your work sir 🙏🙏🙏

[@bernadineseven]

Thank you 🙏 so very much 😊

[@poonamsharma7775]

Thank you so so so much for being into my you tube recommendations. I was just looking for u people!

[@Hemp.AyurvedaClothingCosmetics]

Salute

[@ksisneh]

Doing gods work

[@koeldutta8328]

Excellent narration with example. ❤

[@arunalokuge1595]

Great job, great passion!! Thanks 🙏🏽 ❤!!

[@InspiredInsaan06]

I love this initiative love❤ u sir

[@vijayvaswani3812]

Your channel is amazing. The quality of the science and detail is exactly what I was looking for. Well done.

[@nilimavarma309]

Hello,thank u so much for such vital information,will definitely,go ahead with it,much blessings.

[@kanchanarajagopal1693]

Soooo nice. So impressive

[@francisesho8710]

It's really inspiring please provide for us the POPs of this noble venture.

[@mtrisi]

so good, thank you

[@guybartlett9587]

Subbed

[@ruchibhansali1116]

Beautifully presented. Thank you so much for the video.

[@linnetworksfromleonard5154]

informative video 👍🤩

[@muzingayengwenya4587]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing 👍

[@kajalchaudhuri6110]

Beautiful expression. Very good concept. Thanks.

[@Gorusuur]

Very insightful video

[@sarojini1977]

Great work, salute to your work

[@drsteviejasengnsangma8739]

Excellent video as you have shared both the pros & cons of the Miyawaki forest.

[@meetpisavadiya3062]

Great work

[@drvk999]

This guy need to be awarded

[@timetravellerthoughts9010]

Proud of you

[@itachiuchiha-vs3qb]

This needs more attention..

[@mitalishah3552]

Thankyou so much for sharing this... People like you are doing amazing job👍

[@hoppypoppy950]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@reenasharma1553]

Good work

[@thepeopleplaceandnaturepod8344]

It's inspiring to see people like you using their platform to raise awareness and encourage positive change. 🍀

[@guilhermeserpa1908]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of hope

[@suneetsalvi1200]

Blessed to have people like you. Bow to you with great respect.

[@mirrorflame1988]

Wonderful!

[@geetasrajasthanirasoi6646]

Great work 👍👌

[@deXXXXter2]

I love your idea and i think this is absolutely basic stuff to comprehend why our 'forests' are mostly tree plantations for the common person. Just one suggestion - maybe try to make all of those chapters in one long documentary video. It might have much more potential for higher views, as it will be easier to share.

[@sabitrisahoo3594]

Is there any society who search volunteers for growing forest, plzz inform us I will do my best ,it will be my pleasure to join this ,thank you soooo much for your wonderful work.

[@Berar24365]

Have you visited the model village of Hiware Bajar हिवरे बाजार in Maharashtra ?

[@chewylouie1569]

Thank you 🌳

[@agriplast]

You are doing an amazing work

[@ankitdubey9164]

Great

[@ShivamSahuIndia]

Awesome 👍😎

[@hotelsierra86]

Inspiring.

[@DeepakGupta-ng5ni]

Very inspiring

[@FarmingDekhoPk]

I like the concept

[@santanarzary1823]

Forest is my life

[@LabklajibasDarzi]

Great method, thanks! 👍

[@ranjanapandey9630]

Good Brother...keep up the good work...efforts of many are needed for the procurement and conservtion of nature..Almighty bless you with all the strength.🙏👍👍

[@rosepetals217]

So beautiful. I want to do it in my city..

[@mrsms2178]

good motto.....

[@ashutoshtandon2860]

nice & educative

[@vidyabhushanmarkam7882]

Sar thank u so Mach for good suggestion so proud of you sir good day

[@davidcupples7622]

Nice!

[@Picci25021973]

I'm doing the same at my homestead, using different techniques. Interesting to learn from you!

[@roshnikhetan6979]

Wow this is such a great initiative!

[@salmankazme]

Hello from 🇵🇰 Great initiate Afforest. I am in middle of developing dandelion trail. Can you also do a video on how we can add wildflowers, populate local wildlife, scents of plants, and fruits Will follow your posts. Keep it up.🎉

[@dhe.e_raj]

Thankyou sir ,for instructed for creating biodiversity 🖤🖤🌱

[@giusiscarsella8748]

Thank you for the work you do. I am passionate about plants, I am in central Italy. I own two ha of land and all I do is... to plant. I would like to involve the students of my school in this project even though I am a literature teacher

[@gopidevi-meditacionytransm3142]

Good !

[@godfreylawrence4055]

Wow.. was just thinkin how to go about making a forest in my 20 acre property, as I want to do a water 💦 world/ park in the forest 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[@townstunsltd6727]

Posthumous Awards to honour and advertise Dr Miyawaki work!

[@lamegalectora]

Fascinating, thank you! Can you explain why you do not use the no-dig method since it seems to be the best way to preserve the structure of the existing soil? Even if the soil is not very good and needs improvement before it can grow trees, would in not be better to build on whatever life and structure is there already?

[@anshu3432]

This guy is great !!!!

[@harbhajanpatel6146]

👍👍👍👍

[@shirkeshivaji8166]

Nice explanation 👌