Question : Plantation of Trees along NHs

(a) the number of trees planted along the National Highways (NHs) so far in the country especially in Bihar;

(b) whether the Government proposes to plant adequate number of trees along the NHs during the next three years and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has formulated any plan to involve Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for nurturing these planted saplings to increase their survival rate and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the action taken/ being taken by the Government against the road construction companies which do not plant adequate number of trees as per the Government policy?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) 271.28 lakhs trees have been planted along National Highways from 2016-17 onwards upto February, 2022. Out of these, 5.94 lakhs trees have been planted in the State of Bihar in the same period.
(b) Under the Green Highways (Plantations, Transplantation, Beautification and Landscaping) Policy, 2015 and the Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines, adequate number of trees on available


median and Right of Way (ROW) land are planted and maintained along National Highways every year. According to Annual Plantation Action Plan, 2021-22, 68.68 lakhs plants have been planted upto February, 2022. The Annual Plantation Action Plan for FY 2022-23 is at planning stage.

(c) According to Standard Operating Procedure notified for plantation activities, the private plantation agencies and NGOs, having technical experiences and required resources may participate in the tender process by which plantation projects are awarded for plantation, post-planting operations and maintenance for a project period of 5 years to maintain 90% survival rate.
(d) Tree plantation along National Highways remains an integral part of highways development projects for plantation activities as per IRC guidelines prescribed in Concession Agreement. Action is taken as per penal provisions of the Concession Agreement, if the construction companies do not plant prescribed number of trees.
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