**Executive Summary**
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘Arogya Van’ initiative to develop thematic medicinal tree plantations on vacant land parcels along National Highways. This project aims to enhance biodiversity and promote traditional medicinal knowledge, such as Ayurveda, through the creation of green corridors. The first phase covers 17 land parcels across multiple states, with a broader target of 188 hectares of plantation scheduled for the forthcoming monsoon season.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Phase 1 Development and Scale**
* An action plan has been formulated to cover 17 land parcels spanning over 62.8 hectares.
* Approximately 67,462 medicinal trees will be planted during this initial phase.
* Target states include Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
* **Species Selection and Site Prioritization**
* Around 36 medicinal tree species have been identified, including Neem, Amla, Imli, Jamun, Lemon, Gular, and Maulsari.
* Species selection is determined by the suitability of the specific agro-climatic zones.
* Plantations will be prioritized near toll plazas, wayside amenities, interchanges, and cloverleaf junctions to maximize public outreach and awareness.
* **Ecological and Strategic Objectives**
* The initiative aims to strengthen ecosystem resilience by supporting pollinators, birds, and microfauna.
* Approximately 188 hectares of vacant land have been identified for plantations during the upcoming monsoon season to ensure high survival rates.
* The project serves as a "living repository" for traditional medicinal knowledge and aligns with Government of India guidelines on landscaping and tree plantation.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)**
**Impact**
NHAI is shifting its traditional greening strategy toward a thematic model that integrates ecological restoration with public outreach. It reinforces the organization's commitment to sustainable infrastructure.
**Action Required**
NHAI must execute the formulated action plan for Phase 1 and prepare the identified 188 hectares of land for the scheduled monsoon plantation drive.
**Local Ecosystems and Biodiversity**
**Impact**
Roadside ecology will be enhanced through the introduction of indigenous medicinal flora, providing better support for local birds and pollinators.
**Action Required**
Plantation activities must strictly adhere to identified species suitability for different agro-climatic zones to ensure long-term sustainability.
**General Public and Local Communities**
**Impact**
The public will gain access to "knowledge hubs" and green corridors that promote awareness of India’s medicinal plant heritage and sustainable living practices.
**Action Required**
No direct action is required, though the initiative is designed to increase public engagement with traditional knowledge systems.
Key Entities Referenced
NHAI (National Highways Authority of India): The primary agency responsible for developing 'Arogya Van' medicinal tree plantations on vacant land parcels along National Highways.
Arogya Van: A thematic initiative launched to create medicinal tree plantations along National Highways to enhance biodiversity and promote traditional medicinal knowledge.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways: The central ministry overseeing the implementation of environmental and infrastructure projects like the Arogya Van initiative.
Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh: The group of states and regions identified for the initial phase of the medicinal tree plantation action plan.
Ayurveda: The traditional system of medicine that the Arogya Van initiative aims to support by conserving indigenous medicinal flora.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI to Develop ‘NHAI Arogya Van’ - Thematic
Medicinal Tree Plantations on Vacant Land
Parcels Along National Highways
Posted On: 08 APR 2026 4:26PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards enhancing biodiversity and integrating ecological sustainability in National
Highway development, NHAI has taken the initiative to develop ‘Arogya Van’, the thematic medicinal tree
plantations on vacant land parcels along the National Highways. The initiative aims to enrich biodiversity
along the National Highways by introducing medicinal tree species that support pollinators, birds and
microfauna, thereby strengthening ecosystem resilience.
In the first phase of developing ‘Arogya Van’, an action plan has been formulated covering 17 land parcels
spanning over 62.8 hectares, where around 67,462 medicinal trees will be planted along different National
Highway projects in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
Also, around 36 tree species with established medicinal properties such as Neem, Amla, Imli, Jamun,
Lemon, Gular, Maulsari etc. have been identified and will be planted at land parcels as per suitability to
the respective agro-climatic zones. Priority will be given to land parcels near toll plazas, wayside
amenities, interchanges, cloverleaf junctions and other prominent stretches along National Highways to
maximize public awareness and outreach. Implementation of initiative will be in accordance with
Government of India guidelines on landscaping and tree plantation.
Traditionally, plantation activities along National Highways have been undertaken using a mix of native
and avenue tree species aimed at greening and ecological stabilization. NHAI has identified approximately
188 hectares of vacant land for plantations during the forthcoming monsoon season to ensure higher
survival rates and long-term sustainability. Adoption of a thematic model focusing on medicinal tree
species will enhance the ecological, educational, and cultural value of such plantations.
Initiative also aligns with the Government of India priority to promote traditional systems of medicine
such as Ayurveda and contribute towards conservation of indigenous medicinal flora. Further, these
plantations are envisaged as living repositories that will create public awareness about traditional
medicinal knowledge systems and their relevance in contemporary times.
The ‘Arogya Van’ initiative reinforces NHAI’s commitment towards developing environmentally
sustainable infrastructure. By integrating ecological restoration with public outreach, the initiative aims to
create a network of green corridors that not only enhance roadside ecology but also serve as knowledge
hubs, promoting awareness about India’s rich heritage of medicinal plants and sustainable living practices.
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GDH/DS
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