The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched an ambitious green initiative titled “Arogya Van”, under which more than 67,000 medicinal trees will be planted along National Highways to create biodiverse and ecologically resilient corridors.
The project will be implemented on vacant land parcels along highways, with the first phase covering 17 identified sites spanning around 62.8 hectares across multiple states including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and others.
Designed as a thematic plantation initiative, Arogya Van focuses specifically on medicinal tree species, moving beyond traditional roadside greenery. Around 36 species have been shortlisted, including neem, amla, jamun, imli, lemon, gular, and maulsari selected based on their adaptability to different agro-climatic zones.
The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience, supporting pollinators, birds, and microfauna along highway stretches. It also integrates environmental sustainability into infrastructure development by converting unused land into green, functional ecological assets.
Plantation sites will be prioritised around toll plazas, interchanges, cloverleaf junctions, and wayside amenities, ensuring both visibility and awareness among commuters. Additionally, nearly 188 hectares of land have been earmarked for future plantation, with planting activities aligned to the monsoon season to improve survival rates.
Beyond ecological benefits, the Arogya Van initiative also carries educational and cultural significance, promoting awareness of traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda and conserving indigenous plant species.
With this move, NHAI is advancing its vision of sustainable highway development, where infrastructure growth is complemented by environmental stewardship and long-term ecological value creation.
