Bhubaneswar: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will develop Odisha’s first ‘bee corridor’ with nearly 20,000 flowering plantations along highway stretches in Sambalpur, Dhenkanal and in Ganjam districts. The project is aimed at boosting biodiversity, conserving honeybees and improving the ecological value of roadside plantations, according to the NHAI regional office in Odisha.Officials said the initiative marks a move away from ornamental roadside planting towards ecological landscaping through continuous belts of bee-friendly vegetation. The plan is intended to ensure year-round availability of nectar and pollen for pollinators.A statement from the ministry of road transport and highways said the project is designed to support pollinator conservation and address growing ecological stress on honeybees and other pollinating species. It added that any decline in pollinator populations could affect agricultural and horticultural output as well as the broader ecological balance.NHAI has identified stretches of national highways passing through the three districts for the plantation drive and flowering tree clusters will be planted at intervals of around 500 metres to 1 km, in line with the average foraging range of honeybees and wild bees. “The Talcher-Kamakhyanagar and Kamakhyanagar-Duburi sections of NH-53, Angul-Sambalpur section of NH-55 and Puintola-Ichhapuram section of NH-16 passing have been identified for the drive,” an NHAI official here said on Monday.The official added that saplings of neem, karanj, arjun, kadamba, jamun, tamarind and kanchan, among others, will be planted. “We will float a tender for plantation and maintenance of the trees. The saplings will be planted during the monsoon season. The target is to complete the plantation along the three highway stretches by March 2027,” he said.Under the programme, a mix of trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses will be planted, while also preserving wild elements by encouraging nectar- and pollen-rich species and allowing flowering weeds to grow. Officials said plant species will be selected to ensure staggered flowering in different seasons so that blooming continues almost throughout the year.The authority said similar corridors may also be developed along other national highway stretches and vacant NHAI land depending on agro-climatic conditions and local suitability.
