NHAI to launch Odisha’s first eco-friendly ‘Bee Corridor’ across three districts

Moving away from purely ornamental roadside landscaping, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is shifting towards ecological conservation along its networks. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that a decline in pollinator populations risks harming agricultural and horticultural yields, alongside the wider ecological balance. 

To counter this stress on pollinating species and protect honeybees, the NHAI regional office in Odisha has announced plans to develop the state’s inaugural ‘bee corridor’, as reported by the Times Of India.

Operational Layout and Botanical Selection

The environmental initiative will establish nearly 20,000 flowering plantations along designated national highway stretches within the Ganjam, Dhenkanal, and Sambalpur districts. To align with the natural foraging limits of wild bees and honeybees, clusters of flowering trees will be systematically planted at intervals ranging from 500 metres to 1 kilometre.

Rather than relying solely on uniform vegetation, the programme will implement a diverse botanical strategy to guarantee year-round pollen and nectar availability:

Layered Flora: A deliberate mix of grasses, herbs, shrubs, and trees will be introduced.

Wild Elements: Naturally occurring flowering weeds will be permitted to grow to sustain the habitat.

Staggered Blooming: Species will be carefully selected to ensure consecutive seasonal flowering across the calendar.

Future Expansion Plans

This targeted framework aims to significantly enhance local biodiversity while elevating the overall ecological quality of roadside greenery. Depending on regional suitability and specific agro-climatic conditions, the NHAI intends to replicate these eco-corridors across other national highway sections and vacant authority-owned land.