Lok Sabha Question No. 516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: Plantation on National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Damodar Agrawal

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is running a plan to plant trees on both the sides of newly constructed and upgraded national highways in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  number  and  species  of  trees  planted  on national highways in Rajasthan, including Bhilwara, during the last three years, year-wise and species-wise; and
- (d) whether the Government plans to carry out tree plantation while converting four-lane roads into six-lane roads and if so, the details thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 516

ANSWERED ON 06 TH FEBRUARY, 2025

## PLANTATION ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

516. SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) Yes  Sir, the Government  is  actively implementing  a  tree plantation program under the Green Highways Policy-2015.  Annual Plantation Action Plans are formulated and implemented every year since the enunciation of Green Highways Policy -2015.
- (b) Since 2015, 472.26 lakh saplings have been  planted till 31 st  December  2024  along  the  highways  throughout  the  country. Year-wise achievements of greening the highways are as follows:

| Year               |   Total Plantation Progress (2015-16 to 2024-25, till 31 st Dec.2024) (No. of Plants in Avenue & Median Plantation in Lakh) |
|--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2015-16 to 2017-18 |                                                                                                                       76.27 |
| 2018-19            |                                                                                                                       31.27 |
| 2019-20            |                                                                                                                       36.28 |
| 2020-21            |                                                                                                                       59.11 |
| 2021-22            |                                                                                                                       72.35 |
| 2022-23            |                                                                                                                       71.91 |
| 2023-24            |                                                                                                                       58.64 |
| 2024-25            |                                                                                                                       66.43 |
| Total              |                                                                                                                      472.26 |

(c) The plantation details for Rajasthan, including Bhilwara, during the last three years, year-wise are:

| Year                      |   Total plantation done (Avenue and Median) (numbers of plants in lakh.) |
|---------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2024-25 (till 31.12.2024) |                                                                     4.19 |
| 2023-24                   |                                                                     8.1  |
| 2022-23                   |                                                                    12.46 |
| Total                     |                                                                    24.75 |

The species planted are selected as mentioned in IRC:SP:21-2009 'Guidelines  on  Landscaping  and  Tree  Plantation'.  In  Rajasthan species  like  Neem,  Palas,  Amaltash,  Sheesham,  Peepal,  Bargad,

Pakur, Bakain, Imli etc. have been taken up for planting.

(d) Green Highways Policy 2015, covers all highways irrespective of number of lanes, subject to availability of suitable area in the Right of Way (RoW).

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