NHAI Launches Medicinal Green Corridors Along National Highways

Arogya Van: Transforming Highways into Healing Corridors

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has officially launched the ‘Arogya Van’ initiative. This project marks a strategic shift from traditional roadside greening to a more purposeful, knowledge-based approach by planting thematic medicinal trees on vacant land parcels along the national highway network.

Vision and Ecological Objectives

The primary goal of Arogya Van is to enhance regional biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Unlike standard avenue plantations, these thematic zones are designed to:

• Support Local Fauna: Create habitats for pollinators (bees, butterflies), birds, and microfauna.
• Promote Traditional Knowledge: Act as "living repositories" for Ayurveda and traditional Indian medicine systems.
• Optimize Land Use: Effectively utilize vacant pockets near toll plazas, interchanges, and wayside amenities.

Phase I Implementation (2026)

The first phase of the initiative is currently being executed with the following technical specifications:

• Scale: Covers 17 land parcels spanning 62.8 hectares across 11 states, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
• Plantation Target: Approximately 67,462 medicinal trees are being planted in high-visibility areas.
• Species Diversity: Around 36 distinct species have been identified, including Neem, Amla, Jamun, Imli (Tamarind), and Maulsari, selected based on specific agro-climatic suitability.

Strategic Importance

Beyond aesthetics, these plantations serve as natural air filters and noise barriers in high-traffic zones. By integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into infrastructure, NHAI is fostering a model where modern transport corridors coexist with ecological conservation and public health awareness.

For TNPSC and UPSC aspirants, the Arogya Van initiative is a significant update for "Environment & Ecology" and "Sustainable Infrastructure," reflecting India's commitment to the Nagoya Protocol and biodiversity conservation.