Why in News?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officially launched this first-of-its-kind project to address the "ecological stress" faced by honeybees and other pollinators.
Key Information & Features
- Strategic Shift: The project marks a move away from purely "ornamental" or decorative roadside landscaping toward ecological plantations that support biodiversity.
- Pollination Crisis: The initiative is a response to declining bee populations, which has adversely affected agricultural productivity and natural ecological balance in India.
- Continuous Vegetation: The corridors consist of linear stretches of bee-friendly plants—including trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses—designed to provide a steady supply of nectar and pollen throughout the year.
- Native Species Selection: NHAI will prioritise native, nectar-rich species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, and Siris.
- Strategic Spacing: Flowering clusters will be planted at intervals of 500 metres to 1 km. This specific distance corresponds to the average foraging range of honeybees and wild bees.
- Natural Habitats: Unlike traditional manicured gardens, these corridors will deliberately retain natural elements like dead wood, hollow trunks, and flowering weeds to provide essential nesting and breeding spaces for insects.
- Staggered Flowering: Plant species are selected to ensure a near-continuous blooming cycle across different seasons, preventing "food deserts" for bees.
Rollout Targets (2026–27)
- Initial Corridors: NHAI field offices are tasked with developing at least three dedicated pollinator corridors in the upcoming financial year.
- Mass Plantation: Out of the 40 lakh trees planned for planting along National Highways in 2026–27, approximately 60% (24 lakh trees) will be dedicated to the Bee Corridor initiative.
- Location Selection: Corridors will be established along suitable highway stretches and vacant NHAI land parcels, tailored to local agro-climatic conditions.
Benefits & Significance
- Agricultural Boost: By improving pollination services, the corridors are expected to directly enhance the yields of nearby farms and orchards.
- Ecological Connectivity: They act as "green bridges," connecting fragmented habitats and allowing pollinators to move safely across large distances despite infrastructure growth.
- Sustainable Infrastructure: This initiative positions India’s highway network as a contributor to environmental restoration rather than just a driver of carbon emissions.
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