GUWAHATI: Assam ranks fifth from bottom across Indian states in implementing the Green Highways Policy 2015, with limited plantation activities implemented along its National Highways (NHs).
ALSO READ: 34th All Assam Junior Tennis Tournament To Begin On December 19
This data has been released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and it reveals that from 2015-16 to 15 November, the state planted only 7.98 lakh saplings along NH medians and avenues.
Assam’s performance is better only than Kerala (2.24 lakh), Himachal Pradesh (3.61 lakh), Jammu & Kashmir (3.82 lakh), and Uttarakhand (7.06 lakh). The lack of sufficient replantation is alarming given the extensive road infrastructure projects in the state, which have led to large-scale deforestation.
The Green Highways Policy was introduced in 2015 to promote tree plantation along NHs, with objectives such as reducing air and noise pollution, serving as natural air pollutant sinks, and enhancing the visual appeal of highways.
However, Assam’s efforts fall significantly short compared to states like Rajasthan, which planted 50.67 lakh saplings, Madhya Pradesh (43.53 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (40.22 lakh).