Source: New India Samachar, Vol. 6, Issue 18 (March 16–31, 2026) | newindiasamachar.pib.gov.in

NHAI is transforming India’s highway margins from ornamental landscaping into ecological corridors for pollinators: planting 4 million bee-friendly trees and shrubs by 2026-27 along national highways to support biodiversity, food security, and farmer incomes.

The Initiative

Implementing Agency: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Core Idea: Replace ornamental roadside plantations with native, bee-forage species: flowering trees and plants that provide year-round nectar and pollen for honeybees and other pollinators.

Target Value
Trees to be planted by 2026-27 ~40 lakh (4 million)
Share under bee corridor initiative ~60% of all NHAI plantations
Existing national highway network 1,46,204 km

Native Species Used

Species Local Name Why Chosen
Azadirachta indica Neem Year-round flowering; drought-resistant
Pongamia pinnata Karanj Nitrogen-fixing; biofuel potential
Madhuca longifolia Mahua Critical tribal livelihood tree; spring flowers
Butea monosperma Palash / Flame of the Forest Prolific spring bloomer; also a dye source
Callistemon spp. Bottle Brush Long flowering season
Syzygium cumini Jamun Summer fruiting; edible for humans and birds
Albizia lebbeck Siris Fast-growing; shade + pollinator support

All species are native or naturalised to India, avoiding the invasive species trap (e.g., Prosopis juliflora which has devastated ecosystems after being planted in roadside programmes).

Why Pollinators Matter

Ecological Significance:

  • 75% of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators (FAO)
  • Bees contribute an estimated $577 billion/year globally in crop pollination services
  • India: ~50% of horticultural output depends on bee pollination

Pollinator Decline, Causes:

  • Habitat loss (monoculture agriculture, urbanisation)
  • Pesticide use (neonicotinoids particularly harmful)
  • Climate change (alters flowering times vs. pollinator emergence timing)
  • Disease (Varroa mite destroying honeybee colonies globally)

India-Specific:

  • Honeybee population declining in Indo-Gangetic Plain (pesticide use)
  • Traditional bee forage habitats (sacred groves, scrublands) shrinking
  • Bee corridors along 1.46 lakh km of highways create a linear habitat network across the country

Connection to Apiculture (Bee Farming)

  • National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM): ₹500 crore; 20 lakh bee colonies; target 1.25 lakh metric tonnes honey/year
  • Bee corridors provide natural forage → reduces cost of maintaining bee colonies
  • Supports tribal and rural apiculture livelihoods
  • India is the 8th largest honey producer globally; target to be among top 3

Environmental Co-Benefits

Benefit Mechanism
Carbon sequestration Native trees store more carbon than ornamentals
Soil stabilisation Deep-root species prevent highway embankment erosion
Stormwater management Vegetation absorbs runoff, reduces flooding
Urban heat island mitigation Green corridors lower road-side temperatures
Wildlife movement Linear green patches aid small mammal and bird movement

UPSC Relevance

GS3, Environment & Ecology:

  • Pollinators as ecosystem services providers (provisioning + supporting services)
  • Biodiversity conservation outside protected areas: linear habitats, green corridors
  • Invasive vs. native species in plantation programmes
  • NBHM: apiculture as part of agricultural diversification
  • Connection to Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): bees essential for natural farming ecosystems

GS3, Infrastructure:

  • NHAI’s expanding mandate: not just road construction but ecological stewardship
  • Green Highways Policy 2015: mandates 1% of project cost for plantation along highways

Key Distinctions:

  • Bee corridor ≠ wildlife corridor: bee corridors are linear plantation zones; wildlife corridors connect fragmented forest patches
  • NHAI bee corridors: urban/semi-urban linear habitat; different from Elephant Reserve or Tiger Corridor

Facts Corner

  • NHAI bee corridors: 4 million trees by 2026-27; 60% of all NHAI plantations
  • Species: Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, Siris (all native)
  • Global: 75% of food crops need pollinators; bees contribute $577B/year in services
  • NBHM: ₹500 crore; 20 lakh colonies; target 1.25 lakh MT honey/year
  • India: 8th largest honey producer globally
  • National highway network: 1,46,204 km (March 2025)
  • Green Highways Policy 2015: 1% project cost for roadside plantation