Gurugram, April 20: In a powerful blend of fitness and environmental activism, Gurugram’s athletic community has partnered with the Million Miyawaki Foundation (MMF) to fight air pollution through urban afforestation. Spearheaded by Ironwoman triathlete Rani Maheshwari, The Good Sole Club (TGSC)—a group of runners, cyclists, and triathletes—collaborated with MMF to plant a dense mini-forest on the campus of Suraj School in Sector 56.

Driven by MMF’s mission to create cleaner and greener cities, Maheshwari, one of only eight Indian women to complete an Ironman, mobilized TGSC to act on Gurugram’s worsening air quality. The initiative is part of the larger Million Miyawaki Project, backed by MMF and Rise Foundation, which has successfully created 34 urban forests across the Delhi-NCR region. Using the Miyawaki technique, these compact forests—spanning just 2,000 sq ft—can grow up to 600 native trees within two years, supporting biodiversity and improving urban air quality.

A standout feature of the initiative is the involvement of school students, who are educated on the environmental impact of these forests. According to MMF, each mature mini-forest can supply oxygen for over 2,400 people, while significantly reducing dust levels and cooling the local area. MMF continues to foster community-driven environmental change by engaging schools, resident associations, corporations, and local groups like TGSC, aiming to rewild cities and cultivate a more sustainable urban future.