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Will More Trees Be Planted Along National Highways in the Next Three Years?

In recent years, there has been a significant push towards making our national highways greener. But what does the future hold for these efforts? Will we see more trees planted along these crucial roadways in the coming years? Let's dive into the details to understand what's in store for the next three years.

What Is the Green Highways Policy?

The Green Highways Policy was introduced in 2015 with the goal of enhancing the green cover along our national highways. This policy mandates the plantation of trees, landscaping, and maintaining greenery along these routes. Since its inception, various stakeholders have been involved in this initiative, aiming to transform our highways into greener and more environmentally friendly corridors.

Current Achievements

As of August 2024, a total of 402.28 lakh saplings have been planted along national highways across India. This includes:

• Madhya Pradesh: 35.04 lakh saplings
• Bihar: 10.44 lakh saplings

These numbers reflect a concerted effort by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other stakeholders to improve the environmental quality along our highways.

Will More Trees Be Planted in the Next Three Years?

Yes, the government plans to continue its green initiative with a clear focus on increasing tree plantations along national highways. The plantations are carried out as part of the Annual Plantation Action Plan. This plan outlines the number of trees to be planted each year, ensuring that the efforts are systematic and ongoing.

Challenges and Solutions

So far, the government has reported no major issues in implementing the tree planting provisions along national highways. However, ensuring the survival of these saplings is crucial. Although no specific plans for involving NGOs for nurturing saplings have been mentioned, it remains a potential strategy to increase survival rates and ensure the success of the green initiative.

Action Against Non-compliance

The government has mechanisms in place to address any non-compliance by road construction companies regarding tree planting. Actions are taken as per the terms of the contract agreements, ensuring that the policy is adhered to.

Summary

The Green Highways Policy aims to enhance our national highways by planting more trees and improving the overall greenery. With significant progress already made and plans for continued efforts over the next three years, we can expect to see our highways becoming greener and more eco-friendly. The focus remains on maintaining and expanding these efforts to contribute positively to the environment.