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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced an initiative to develop Arogya Van thematic plantations of medicinal trees across vacant land parcels along National Highways to enhance biodiversity and ecological resilience. In the first phase, 17 sites covering 62.8 hectares have been identified across multiple states including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The programme will involve planting approximately 67,462 trees comprising 36 medicinal species such as neem, amla and jamun, selected based on agro-climatic suitability. Priority locations include areas near toll plazas, interchanges and wayside amenities to improve public visibility. The initiative is positioned as part of broader efforts to integrate environmental considerations into highway infrastructure development.
The National Highways Authority of India has initiated a programme to develop Arogya Van plantations along National Highways, focusing on cultivating medicinal tree species across identified vacant land parcels to strengthen biodiversity and ecological balance within highway corridors. Advertisement
The initiative was announced in the past week as part of a structured action plan that identifies 17 land parcels spanning approximately 62.8 hectares across states including Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. These sites have been selected for the first phase of implementation, with plantation activity expected to cover a mix of urban and intercity highway stretches.
Under the programme, around 67,462 trees will be planted, comprising 36 species known for their medicinal properties. The selected species include neem, amla, imli, jamun, lemon, gular and maulsari, among others. Officials indicated that plantation choices will be aligned with local agro-climatic conditions to ensure higher survival rates and ecological compatibility.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing biodiversity along highway corridors by creating green zones that support pollinators, birds and microfauna. By introducing medicinal plant species, the programme also seeks to improve ecological resilience while contributing to environmental sustainability within infrastructure projects.
Priority has been given to land parcels located near toll plazas, wayside amenities, interchanges, cloverleaf junctions and other prominent stretches of National Highways. These locations have been selected to maximise visibility and public awareness, allowing the initiative to serve both ecological and educational purposes.
The development of Arogya Van forms part of a broader effort by NHAI to integrate environmental considerations into highway planning and management. In recent years, infrastructure agencies have increasingly incorporated green initiatives such as roadside plantations, water conservation measures and landscaping into project execution frameworks.
Officials indicated that the thematic approach of medicinal plantations distinguishes this initiative from conventional roadside greening, as it combines biodiversity enhancement with potential awareness around traditional plant-based knowledge systems.
The programme is expected to be implemented in phases, with the first phase serving as a pilot to assess survival rates, maintenance requirements and scalability across different climatic zones. Based on the outcomes, additional sites may be identified for expansion.
The initiative reflects a shift towards incorporating sustainability measures within transport infrastructure, where environmental interventions are aligned with large-scale development projects. By utilising available land along highways, the programme aims to create functional green spaces that contribute to ecological balance while complementing existing infrastructure assets.
Source - PTI
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