Plantation Drive / NHAI Plants 5.20 Lakh Saplings In Odisha In Four Months, Promotes Medicinal Biodiversity

Bhubaneswar, Oct 12: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Regional Office Odisha, has planted 5.20 lakh plants across the state in four months under various green initiatives aimed at promoting environmental conservation and sustainable highway development.

The initiatives include the Arogya Van programme, which focuses on conserving medicinal plants and enhancing biodiversity, along with pollinator-friendly plantations and community greening activities.

Arogya Van Promotes Medicinal Flora
Under the Arogya Van initiative, 2,500 medicinal plants have been planted at Kunduli in Koraput district along the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor (NH-130CD).

The plantation includes traditional medicinal species such as Bahada, Neem, Harida and Amla, with the aim of conserving indigenous medicinal flora and enhancing local biodiversity.

The programme seeks to develop thematic medicinal tree plantations on suitable vacant land along National Highways. These green spaces are expected to support pollinators, birds and other small wildlife, strengthen ecological resilience and raise public awareness about India's heritage of medicinal plants.

Bee Corridor And Highway Median Plantations
Under the Bee Corridor Plantation initiative, NHAI has planted 39,337 plants, including Neem, Spathodea, Arjun, Patoli, Kadamba, Tabebuia rosea and Radhachuda. The initiative aims to support pollinators and improve biodiversity along highway corridors.

Additionally, 87,338 plants have been planted along highway medians. These include flowering species such as Bougainvillaea, Tecoma, Calliandra and Caesalpinia, intended to improve the aesthetic appeal and ecological value of National Highways.

The plantation drive also includes 6,000 bamboo plants and 7,097 plants under the Community Plantation initiative.

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Green Cover Extended To Communities
NHAI has also undertaken plantation activities at schools, colleges and other community locations to promote environmental awareness and expand green cover beyond highway corridors.

Through medicinal tree plantations, pollinator-friendly corridors and community-based greening activities, NHAI Regional Office Odisha aims to integrate environmental sustainability with highway infrastructure development and contribute to a greener Odisha.