SDG 15: Life on Land | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure | SDG 2: Zero Hunger
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) | Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop ‘Bee Corridors’—linear stretches of bee-friendly vegetation along National Highways. This shift from purely ornamental to ecological plantations aims to support pollinator conservation by ensuring a continuous supply of nectar and pollen throughout the year. For the year 2026–27, NHAI plans to plant 40 lakh trees, with 60% of these dedicated to the Bee Corridor initiative. These corridors will feature native species like Neem, Karanj, Mahua, and Palash, strategically spaced at intervals of 500 meters to 1 km to match the average foraging distance of honeybees. This move is designed to enhance agricultural productivity and restore ecological balance by mitigating the stress faced by essential pollinators.
Key Pillars of the Bee Corridor Initiative
Ecological Plantation Strategy: Moving away from aesthetic-only greenery to functional vegetation that supports biodiversity.
Staggered Flowering Cycles: Selecting plant species that bloom across different seasons to maintain a near-continuous blooming cycle.
Native Bio-Diversity Focus: Prioritizing indigenous trees such as Jamun, Siris, and Mahua that are naturally suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
Pollinator Habitat Restoration: Integrating “wild elements” like flowering weeds, dead wood, and hollow trunks to provide nesting sites for bees.
Localized Implementation: Identifying highway sections through field offices to develop at least three pollinator corridors per office during 2026–27.
What is a “Bee Corridor”? A Bee Corridor is a dedicated linear habitat consisting of nectar- and pollen-rich vegetation designed to provide a continuous food source and safe passage for pollinators. Along National Highways, these corridors use the vast stretches of available land to connect fragmented ecosystems. By planting clusters of flowering trees at intervals corresponding to the foraging range of honeybees, NHAI is effectively creating a “Pollinator Highway” that runs parallel to the transport network. This infrastructure not only beautifies the roads but also directly supports the surrounding agricultural landscape by facilitating the natural pollination services required for crop and horticultural yield.
Policy Relevance
The initiative represents a transition from “Grey Infrastructure” to “Green-Blue Networks,” where national highways act as conduits for ecological services rather than just physical transit.
Strategic Impact:
Federal Biodiversity Arbitrage: Utilizing NHAI’s massive land bank allows the central government to address the “Ecological Stress” identified in NITI Aayog’s climate scenarios without requiring additional land acquisition.
Standardizing “Bee-Friendly” Infrastructure: Implementing these corridors across field offices acts as a “Standard Maker” move, providing a technical template for “Resilient Supply Chains” that prioritize ecological health alongside logistics.
Operationalizing Agri-Resilience: By supporting pollinators, NHAI is providing a non-monetary “Performance-Linked Incentive” to the informal agri-workforce, boosting yields for smallholder farmers near highways.
Bypassing Stubble-Burning Fallout: Enhancing local biodiversity through native plantations like Palash and Karanj creates a more resilient local ecosystem capable of absorbing carbon and mitigating rural pollution shocks.
Implementation Fidelity for Net-Zero: Planting 24 lakh bee-friendly trees in 2026–27 serves as a “Techno-Legal” nature-based solution to offset the emissions of the $300 billion trade logistics sector.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What techno-legal stress test should the CCPA conduct to determine if AI-driven ‘Dark Patterns’ are being used to hide mandatory manufacturer disclosures on mobile shopping apps?
Follow the full news here: NHAI to Develop First ‘BeeCorridors’