Bhubaneswar: In a pioneering move towards ecological sustainability, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to develop Odisha’s first ‘Mahua-Mahseer Corridor‘ (Bee Corridor) by planting nearly 20,000 flowering trees and plants along stretches of national highways in Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, and Ganjam districts.
The initiative, part of NHAI’s broader push for environmentally responsible highway development, aims to create continuous belts of bee-friendly vegetation. This marks a significant shift from traditional ornamental roadside plantations to ecologically functional landscapes designed to support biodiversity and pollinator conservation.
According to officials from NHAI’s regional office in Odisha and a statement from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the project addresses growing ecological stress on honeybees and other pollinators. Declines in pollinator populations pose risks to agricultural and horticultural productivity as well as overall ecological balance.
Targeted Highway Stretches and Plantation Strategy
NHAI has identified specific sections for the drive:
>> Talcher-Kamakhyanagar and Kamakhyanagar-Duburi sections of NH-53
>> Angul-Sambalpur section of NH-55
>> Puintola-Ichhapuram section of NH-16
Flowering tree clusters will be planted at intervals of approximately 500 metres to 1 km, aligning with the typical foraging range of honeybees and wild bees, in hilly areas away from human settlements. Native species such as neem, karanj, arjun, kadamba, jamun, tamarind, and kanchan will form the core of the plantations. Additional species like mahua, palash, bottle brush, and siris are also part of the national initiative.
The plan includes a diverse mix of trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses, while preserving wild elements such as flowering weeds, deadwood, and hollow trunks to create suitable habitats. Species have been selected for staggered flowering periods to ensure nectar and pollen availability throughout the year.
NHAI will inaugurate this project at the time of the commencement of the monsoon season.
Timeline and Implementation
NHAI will soon float tenders for plantation and maintenance. Saplings will be planted during the upcoming monsoon season, with the target to complete the work along these stretches by March 2027.
This Odisha project is among the first under NHAI’s nationwide ‘Bee Corridor’ initiative. The authority plans to develop at least three such pollinator corridors in 2026-27, as part of a larger effort to plant around 40 lakh trees along national highways, with nearly 60% dedicated to bee-friendly species. Similar corridors may be extended to other highway stretches and vacant NHAI land based on local agro-climatic conditions.
