As Indian cities reel under rising temperatures, shrinking green cover and worsening air pollution, Chennai-based environmentalist Krishnakumar S has emerged as a powerful example of citizen-led climate action by transforming more than 65,000 native saplings into over 40 thriving urban forests across Chennai and Hyderabad.
Using the Miyawaki afforestation technique, he has converted barren and unused plots into dense green ecosystems that cool neighbourhoods, revive birdlife and improve air quality. His work comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu government has rolled out its Urban Greening Policy aimed at expanding city green cover, while Telangana has announced new urban forest parks near Hyderabad to boost ecological resilience.
Civic officials have acknowledged that such citizen-driven efforts complement public policy goals and strengthen community participation. As climate pressures intensify, Krishnakumar’s initiative is being seen as a scalable, community-rooted response to India’s urban environmental crisis.
Turning Heat Islands into Living Ecosystems
In cities like Chennai and Hyderabad, where glass towers and expanding roads often replace open land, summer temperatures have become increasingly unforgiving. Against this backdrop, Krishnakumar S began planting trees not as symbolic gestures, but as dense, scientifically planned forests.
Over the years, he collaborated with resident welfare associations, schools, corporate volunteers and local authorities to identify neglected urban spaces roadside strips, institutional land parcels and vacant plots and convert them into self-sustaining green pockets.
His approach relies on the Miyawaki method, which involves planting a diverse mix of native species in close proximity to accelerate growth and create layered forests. Unlike ornamental landscaping, these micro-forests are designed to mimic natural ecosystems.
Within three to five years, they grow thick enough to become largely self-sufficient, requiring minimal watering and maintenance. Residents living near some of these forests in Chennai say the difference is tangible shaded streets, reduced dust levels and a noticeable return of birds and butterflies.
Officials from the Greater Chennai Corporation, speaking at recent plantation drives aligned with the state’s Urban Greening Policy, have emphasised that citizen participation is key to achieving sustainable green cover targets. According to policy documents, the state aims to ensure improved urban canopy density and ecological quality rather than merely counting saplings planted.
Environmental planners note that dense native plantations can reduce local surface temperatures by up to 2–3 degrees Celsius, helping mitigate the urban heat island effect. In Hyderabad, local civic representatives have similarly acknowledged that partnerships between community groups and authorities strengthen long-term urban forest management.
A Timely Intervention Amid Policy Shifts
Krishnakumar’s work is unfolding alongside significant policy developments. Tamil Nadu recently introduced a comprehensive Urban Greening Policy focused on increasing green cover in cities, protecting existing trees and promoting climate-resilient landscapes. The policy underscores the importance of native species, biodiversity corridors and measurable ecological outcomes principles that closely mirror the methodology adopted in Krishnakumar’s projects.
Meanwhile, Telangana has announced the development of new urban forest parks in and around Hyderabad to enhance ecological stability and improve urban liveability. These initiatives reflect growing national awareness that urban forestry is not merely aesthetic but essential to climate adaptation. Heatwaves across India have become longer and more intense, while rapid urbanisation continues to shrink wetlands, tree-lined avenues and open commons.
Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that without urgent interventions, cities will face compounded risks — water scarcity, heat stress and biodiversity collapse. Citizen-led urban forests offer an immediate, decentralised solution. By prioritising native species suited to local soil and climate conditions, these forests also strengthen resilience against extreme weather events.
Krishnakumar has increasingly worked to replicate his model in Hyderabad, building partnerships that ensure local ownership of each forest patch. Rather than positioning himself as a lone hero, he has emphasised community stewardship training volunteers and ensuring that once the initial phase is complete, neighbourhood groups take responsibility for nurturing the space.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At a time when climate news often leaves us anxious and overwhelmed, Krishnakumar’s journey offers a grounded reminder: meaningful change does not always begin with grand declarations sometimes, it starts with planting a tree and protecting it until it thrives. His work demonstrates that development and ecology need not stand in opposition. When science, empathy and collective effort intersect, even crowded cities can breathe again.
Urban forests are more than clusters of trees; they are living symbols of coexistence. They offer shade to pedestrians, refuge to birds, cleaner air to children and hope to communities that feel the brunt of climate change. Importantly, they also show that policy frameworks gain strength when citizens actively participate rather than remain passive beneficiaries.
