Pollinator-friendly plantations to replace ornamental greenery from 2026–27.

NHAI to Roll Out ‘Bee Corridors’ Along National Highways to Boost Biodiversity.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans to develop pollinator-friendly “bee corridors” along selected stretches of national highways during 2026–27, marking a shift towards ecologically driven infrastructure development. The initiative, guided by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, aims to address rising ecological stress on honeybees and other pollinators while enhancing biodiversity. Under the programme, NHAI will plant native, nectar-rich species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Jamun, Bottle Brush and Siris to ensure staggered flowering throughout the year. Corridors will include trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses, with natural features like flowering weeds, dead wood and hollow trunks retained to support pollinators. Based on agro-climatic suitability, field offices will identify highway stretches where flowering clusters can be planted every 500 metres to one kilometre, aligning with bees’ foraging range. Each field unit will develop at least three corridors. Of the planned four million trees to be planted along highways in 2026–27, nearly 60% will be part of the bee corridor initiative, reinforcing sustainable and biodiversity-sensitive highway development.