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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will develop dedicated Bee Corridors along national highways to support pollinator conservation and reduce ecological stress, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) said on Tuesday. At least three such corridors are planned for 2026-27, beginning April 1. The initiative will involve planting continuous stretches of bee-friendly vegetation, including flowering trees and plants that provide nectar and pollen throughout the year. Around 40 lakh trees are proposed to be planted along highways in 2026-27, with nearly 60 per cent under the Bee Corridor programme. The corridors will be developed on selected highway stretches and vacant NHAI land parcels, with planting clusters spaced 500 metres to 1 kilometre apart to align with the average foraging distance of honeybees and wild pollinators.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a first-of-its-kind Bee Corridor initiative aimed at developing pollinator-friendly stretches along national highways to address growing ecological stress and declining pollinator populations. Advertisement
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), at least three pollinator corridors will be developed during the financial year 2026-27, starting April 1. The initiative is designed to create continuous linear stretches of vegetation that support honeybees and other pollinators by ensuring the year-round availability of nectar and pollen.
The Bee Corridors will comprise flowering trees and plant species selected based on agro-climatic conditions and local suitability. These corridors will be developed along national highway stretches as well as on vacant land parcels owned by NHAI. Field offices across the country have been tasked with identifying suitable highway sections where clusters of flowering trees can be planted at intervals of approximately 500 metres to 1 kilometre. This spacing corresponds to the average foraging distance of honeybees and wild bees, thereby enabling efficient pollination across the corridor network.
MoRTH noted that increasing ecological stress on pollinators has adversely impacted pollination services, which in turn affects agricultural and horticultural productivity as well as overall ecological balance. By creating dedicated pollinator habitats along highways, the government aims to contribute to biodiversity conservation while integrating environmental considerations into infrastructure development.
For the year 2026-27, NHAI plans to plant around 40 lakh trees along national highways nationwide. Nearly 60 per cent of these plantations are expected to fall under the Bee Corridor initiative. The programme aligns with NHAI's broader push towards sustainable and environmentally responsible highway construction and maintenance practices.
Beyond ecological benefits, the corridors are expected to provide indirect support to farmers and horticulturists by strengthening pollination services in adjoining regions. Improved pollinator activity can enhance crop yields and contribute to rural livelihoods, particularly in areas close to highway alignments.
The ministry, however, did not specify particular highway stretches where the Bee Corridors will be implemented, stating that details will be finalised by NHAI's field units based on feasibility and environmental suitability assessments.
The initiative marks a significant step in integrating biodiversity conservation into large-scale infrastructure planning, signalling a shift toward greener highway development models that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Source - PTI
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