The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to introduce a pioneering initiative to create dedicated “Bee Corridors” along national highways, marking a significant move from traditional ornamental plantations to ecologically beneficial landscapes. The corridors will feature a continuous stretch of nectar- and pollen-rich trees and plants, providing year-round sustenance for honeybees and other pollinators.
This initiative aims to address the growing ecological stress on pollinators, which plays a critical role in agriculture, horticulture, and overall ecosystem balance. NHAI plans to cultivate a mix of trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses that retain wild elements, including flowering weeds, deadwood, and hollow trunks, ensuring habitats for diverse pollinators. Native species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, and Siris will be planted to support staggered flowering cycles throughout the year.
Pollinator corridors will be developed along suitable stretches of national highways and vacant NHAI land parcels, with clusters of flowering trees planted at intervals of 500 meters to 1 km—aligning with the typical foraging distance of bees. During 2026–27, NHAI plans to plant approximately 40 lakh trees, with 60% dedicated to these Bee Corridors. At least three corridors are expected to be established within this period.
The initiative reinforces NHAI’s commitment to environmentally responsible highway development while enhancing biodiversity, supporting pollinator conservation, and strengthening India’s ecological resilience.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
