Bhubaneswar, October 12: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Regional Office Odisha, has planted 5.20 lakh plants across the State in just four months, marking a significant stride towards expanding green cover and promoting biodiversity along national highway corridors.

The extensive plantation drive encompasses a range of initiatives, including the Arogya Van programme, bee corridor plantations, median greening and community plantation activities. Together, these efforts seek to integrate ecological sustainability with highway infrastructure development while fostering greater environmental awareness among local communities.

A key highlight of the initiative is the Arogya Van programme, under which 2,500 medicinal plants have been planted at Kunduli in Koraput district along the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor (NH-130CD). The plantation features indigenous medicinal species such as Bahada, Neem, Harida and Amla, contributing to the conservation of traditional medicinal flora and the preservation of the region’s rich natural heritage.

The Arogya Van initiative envisages the development of thematic medicinal tree plantations on suitable vacant land parcels along national highways. Beyond enhancing green cover, these plantations are expected to provide habitats and resources for pollinators, birds and other small wildlife, while promoting awareness of India’s traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their ecological significance.

Under the Bee Corridor Plantation initiative, NHAI has planted 39,337 plants, including Neem, Spathodea, Arjun, Patoli, Kadamba, Tabebuia rosea and Radhachuda. The initiative is designed to support pollinators, enrich roadside vegetation and strengthen biodiversity along highway stretches.

In another significant effort, 87,338 plants have been planted along highway medians to improve the visual appeal and ecological character of national highways. Flowering species such as Bougainvillea, Tecoma, Calliandra and Caesalpinia feature in these plantations, adding colour to highway landscapes while contributing to the greening of road infrastructure.

The plantation drive also includes 6,000 bamboo plants and 7,097 plants under the Community Plantation initiative, reflecting a broader approach to ecological restoration and green infrastructure development.

NHAI has extended its plantation activities to schools, colleges and other community locations, encouraging wider public participation in environmental conservation.