Lok Sabha Question No. 4578 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Tree Plantation Drives along NHs
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4578 ANSWERED ON 19 th  MARCH, 2026

## TREE PLANTATION DRIVES ALONG NHs

4578. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  main  objectives  of  the  'Ek  Ped  Maa  Ke  Naam  2.0'  initiative along with the number of trees planted so far under the said initiative particularly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra;
- (b)  whether  special  tree  plantation  drives  have  been  carried  out recently along the major economic  corridors (like Delhi-Mumbai Expressway,  Bhopal-Indore  Corridor  etc.)  passing  through  Madhya Pradesh  and  the  Surat-Chennai  Economic  Corridor,  the  Delhi-Mumbai Expressway  (Maharashtra  section)  and  the  Kalyan-Nirmal  Highway (NH-61)  passing  through  Maharashtra  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof along with the number of plants planted along the said corridors; and
- (c) whether the Government proposes to institutionalise these types of green initiatives and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' is a nationwide campaign led by Government  in  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forests  &  Climate Change to inspire people to plant a tree to promote environmental consciousness. The main objectives of the campaign  are to increase green cover, combat climate change and foster ecological restoration by inspiring individuals to connect emotionally with tree plantation, ensuring long term care and survival. During this initiative, about 58.13 lakh trees have been planted by the Government in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under this  campaign,  including  about  5.03  lakh  trees  in  the  State  of
- Madhya Pradesh and 3.29 lakh trees in the State of Maharashtra. (b) The Government through its implementing agencies, has actively conducted plantation drives as part of the Annual Plantation Action Plan and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' campaign along major economic corridors passing through Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra, including the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Bhopal-Indore Corridor, SuratChennai Economic Corridor etc. During the year 2025-26, approximately  5.03  lakh  saplings  have  been  planted  in  Madhya Pradesh  &  approximately  3.29  lakh  saplings  have  been  planted  in Maharashtra  to  enhance  green  cover  and  ecological  balance  in Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra including along these corridors.
- (c) Government has already institutionalized green initiatives through  various  policies  and  programmes  to  ensure  sustained environmental safeguards along the National Highways. The Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy, 2015 mandates plantation and maintenance of roadside trees, involving stakeholders such as private sectors, local communities, and State governments. Annual plantation targets are set  under  the  Annual  Plantation  Action  Plan,  aligned  with  national campaign 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'.

*****