Indian highways are set to get a greener look. From now on only trees bearing fruit and providing shade like peepal, mahua, mango, imli, jamun, arjun, seesam and jackfruit will be planted along roads unlike the present practice of planting eucalyptus.
Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has given a go ahead to the `Green Highways (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy', which makes it mandatory for agencies planting trees along highways to maintain them too.
“For the past over 30 years, we have seen how more and more eucalyptus and Australian babool have been planted along highways, which have little value since these neither provide shade nor fruits. If we go back to the history of road building, rulers preferred planting fruit and shade bearing trees for comfort of commuters and also for benefit of local residents. Why would local people take interest in protecting eucalyptus?“ asked a road ministry official.
Though planting trees by developers is mandatory as per contracts, it's an open secret how they give least importance to plantation work.“Since they are specialized in building roads, their focus is different. So, as per norms, construction and plantation will be delinked. Specialized agencies will get the work for planting and maintaining trees,“ an official said.
Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari has given a go ahead to the `Green Highways (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy', which makes it mandatory for agencies planting trees along highways to maintain them too.
“For the past over 30 years, we have seen how more and more eucalyptus and Australian babool have been planted along highways, which have little value since these neither provide shade nor fruits. If we go back to the history of road building, rulers preferred planting fruit and shade bearing trees for comfort of commuters and also for benefit of local residents. Why would local people take interest in protecting eucalyptus?“ asked a road ministry official.
Though planting trees by developers is mandatory as per contracts, it's an open secret how they give least importance to plantation work.“Since they are specialized in building roads, their focus is different. So, as per norms, construction and plantation will be delinked. Specialized agencies will get the work for planting and maintaining trees,“ an official said.
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