Perambur Miyawaki Forest Article 

Once a barren and neglected tract of land near Vyasarpadi Jeeva Station in Perambur, Chennai, the 1.8-acre Open Space Reserve (OSR) had long been dismissed as a wasteland. Overrun by invasive weeds, burdened by water stagnation during monsoons, and casually used for livestock grazing, the site was more of a dumping ground than a community asset. But a bold, collective vision transformed it into a thriving urban forest an ecological success story rooted in collaboration and resilience. 

Driven by the Greater Chennai Corporation’s Chennai Climate Action Plan, which sought to increase the city’s green cover from a meager 5% to a more sustainable target, the land was chosen for rejuvenation under Project Greenery. With AstraZeneca stepping in as a CSR partner through its Forest initiative and the Thuvakkam NGO leading the implementation, the project quickly took shape. The dense forest method, a technique for growing dense and biodiverse forests using native species, saw the planting of over 15,000 saplings from 60+ different native tree species, including neem, bamboo, copper, fig and arjuna, on 26 February 2022. The transformation is profound: the once-dilapidated site has been transformed into an 87,000 sq. ft forest ecosystem, with 34,000 sq. ft set aside for a community playground. 

This initiative wasn’t just about trees. It became a pioneer for an equal change. More than 1,060 volunteers, including students, public volunteers, corporate volunteers, and local residents, dedicated more than 32,000 hours to planting and nurturing forests… Eco-walks, awareness sessions, and hands-on participation turned the project into a beacon of civic pride and environmental education. Infrastructure was thoughtfully developed, including borewells, water storage Tank and accessible pathways. Despite facing serious challenges like theft, equipment damage, water shortages, and grazing by goats from nearby areas, the Maintenance team and especially the caretaker never faltered. 

After two years of continuous maintenance, the impact has been immense. Over 62% of the trees have survived and thrived, resulting in significant increases in cation exchange capacity and organic matter, as well as sequestering around 7,349 metric tonnes of CO₂ 1and removing 1,469 tonnes of PM10 pollutants from the air annually2. The area is now teeming with biodiversity, with over 35 species of birds, butterflies, insects and bees found, and native plants are also making a comeback, making this a sanctuary for flora and fauna. The Perambur Urban Forest stands as a testament to what is possible when civic vision, corporate responsibility and social action come together. It is a living example of ecological regeneration, climate resilience and urban transformation – proof that even the most neglected land can be reborn as a legacy of green hope. 

Be the Change – You wish to See