National Highways Authority of India has announced a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop pollinator-friendly Bee Corridors along National Highways. The move shifts plantation planning from ornamental landscaping to ecological restoration. The corridors will create continuous stretches of flowering vegetation to support honeybees and other pollinators throughout the year.
What the initiative aims to do
The Bee Corridor will consist of nectar- and pollen-rich plants planted in a linear pattern along highway stretches and other vacant NHAI land. The aim is to improve pollinator conservation, support biodiversity, and strengthen ecological balance. The initiative is also expected to help agriculture and horticulture by improving pollination services.
Plantation design and species selection
- The corridors will include trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses.
- Native species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, and Siris will be planted.
- Species will be selected to ensure staggered flowering across seasons.
- Wild elements will be retained, including flowering weeds, dead wood, and hollow trunks, to support pollinators.
Implementation along highway stretches
NHAI field offices will identify suitable highway sections where clusters of flowering trees can be planted at intervals of about 500 metres to 1 kilometre. This spacing matches the average foraging distance of honeybees and wild bees. The corridors will be developed according to local agro-climatic conditions and site suitability.
Targets for 2026–27
NHAI plans to plant around 40 lakh trees along National Highways in 2026–27. About 60 per cent of these plantations will be under the Bee Corridor initiative. Field offices have also been asked to develop at least three pollinator corridors during the year.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026