Dismal Performance by Assam in Planting Trees along the National Highways

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The implementation of the Green Highways Policy 2015 has not been satisfactory in the state, with less plantation along the National Highways (NHs). In the list of 22 states in the country regarding plantation along NHs, Assam has been placed at the 5th position from the bottom of the list. Rajasthan has been ranked number 1 in terms of implementing the policy, with the highest plantation completed on the NHs.

According to available statistics of MoRTH on plantation carried out on NHs from 2015-16 to 2024-25 (till November 15, 2024), Assam has been ranked no. 5 from the bottom. During this period, Assam planted 7.98 lakh plants in the avenues and medians of NHs. Only four states fared worse than Assam. They are Kerala with 2.24 lakh plants, Himachal Pradesh with 3.61 lakh, Jammu & Kashmir with 3.82 lakh, and Uttarakhand with 7.06 lakh plantations.

Among the 22 states, Rajasthan has occupied the 1st place by planting 50.67 lakh saplings during the period from 2015-16 to 2024-25. After Rajasthan, the 2nd best performer is Madhya Pradesh, with 43.53 lakh saplings planted; Uttar Pradesh is placed at 3rd place from the top with 40.22 lakh plants. A number of other states have shown better results than Assam: Andhra Pradesh with 22.12 lakh plants, Bihar with 13.73 lakh, Chhattisgarh with 9.11 lakh, Delhi with 33.65 lakh, Gujarat 24.88 lakh, Haryana with 25.87 lakh, Jharkhand 9.13 lakh, Karnataka 28.10 lakh, Maharashtra 40.17 lakh, Odisha 21.95 lakh, Punjab 22.88 lakh, Tamil Nadu 24.63 lakh, Telangana 13.43 lakh, and West Bengal with 16.64 lakh saplings planted.

During the period from 2015-16 to 2024-25, the 22 states in the list compiled planted more than 465 lakh saplings along the NHs in these states.

 A large number of road infrastructure projects are in progress in Assam, and numerous trees have been chopped down for this purpose. But the statistics reveal that the plantation done is not commensurate with the number of trees cut down. The lesser-than-required plantation has become a matter of concern, and this needs to be looked into by both the state and central governments.

The objectives of the central government’s Green Highways Policy (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance), 2015 are to—evolve a policy framework for plantation along National Highways; reduce the impact of air pollution and dust as trees and shrubs are known to be natural sink for air pollutants; provide much needed shade on glaring hot roads during summer; reduce the impact of ever-increasing noise pollution caused due to increase in number of vehicles; arrest soil erosion at the embankment slopes; prevent glare from the headlight of incoming vehicles; moderate the effect of wind and incoming radiation; and create employment opportunities for local people.

Also Read: Centre Awards 789 km of National Highways for 6 NE States in Current FY of 2024-25

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