Bee Corridor:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop pollinator or ‘Bee Corridors’ along National Highways to promote ecological infrastructure development.
- The ‘Bee Corridor’ will have a continuous stretch of flowering trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that will provide year-round nectar and pollen through staggered seasonal flowering cycles.
- The project shifts highway plantations from ornamental greenery to biodiversity-supportive vegetation to protect honeybees and other pollinators.
- Native species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun and Siris will be planted, while flowering weeds, dead wood and hollow trunks will be retained for pollinator habitats.
- Corridors will be developed along suitable highway stretches and vacant NHAI land, with flowering clusters every 500 m–1 km based on bee foraging distance.
- Approximately 40 lakh trees are planned to be planted during 2026–27, of which nearly 60% will be under the Bee Corridor initiative, with at least three pollinator corridors to be developed in the initial phase.
