In a landmark move toward environmentally sustainable infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has unveiled plans to develop the country’s first dedicated “Bee Corridors” along National Highways, aiming to convert roadside plantations into ecologically productive green belts that actively support pollinators.
The initiative is designed to shift highway landscaping from decorative greenery to scientifically planned, biodiversity-friendly plantations that provide continuous food and habitat for honeybees and other pollinating species. Officials say the project responds to growing ecological concerns over the decline of pollinators, which play a crucial role in agriculture, horticulture, and natural ecosystems.
Highway Plantations to Focus on Pollinator-Friendly Species
Under the new model, roadside plantation strategies will be redesigned to prioritise nectar- and pollen-rich plant species instead of ornamental varieties. The Bee Corridors will feature a diverse mix of flowering trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses selected for their value to pollinators.
The ecological design will also preserve natural micro-habitats by allowing flowering weeds to grow, and by retaining dead wood and hollow tree trunks where feasible, which serve as nesting and shelter spaces for bees and other beneficial insects. Authorities plan staggered flowering cycles so that nectar sources remain available across seasons, ensuring year-round support for pollinator populations.
Proposed native and adaptive species include Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, and Siris — plants known for their resilience and pollinator value — to strengthen biodiversity and long-term ecological stability along highway stretches.
Corridor Design Based on Bee Movement Patterns
Implementation will be carried out across suitable National Highway stretches and available NHAI land parcels, based on regional agro-climatic conditions and local feasibility. Field offices across the country have been tasked with identifying priority zones for rollout.
Clusters of flowering vegetation will be developed at intervals of roughly 500 metres to one kilometer. This spacing is aligned with the typical foraging range of honeybees and wild bees, enabling smooth pollinator movement and ecological connectivity across landscapes fragmented by roads and development.
As part of the 2026–27 rollout plan, at least three dedicated pollinator corridors will be created by field units. During the same phase, around 40 lakh trees are slated to be planted along National Highways, with nearly 60 percent to fall under the Bee Corridor programme.
Linking Infrastructure Growth with Biodiversity Goals
The Bee Corridor programme represents a strategic shift in highway development policy by embedding biodiversity conservation into core infrastructure planning. By turning linear road networks into ecological support systems, the initiative aims to deliver measurable environmental gains alongside transport expansion.
With National Highways passing through multiple climate zones and landscapes, officials believe these corridors can function as large-scale ecological pathways — supporting pollinators, improving green cover, and indirectly strengthening farm productivity through better pollination.
Experts view the move as a scalable model for integrating nature-positive solutions into public infrastructure, combining climate resilience, habitat restoration, and sustainable development goals.
