Green Highways

Green Highways - An Effort to Reduce Pollution

In a landmark decision which can have far reaching consequences to the state of India’s environment and green cover, the government announced its Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy 2015 on Sep 29, 2015. The goal is to help the environment, local communities and generate employment by planting trees along all the highways in the country. The target for the first year is to plant trees along 6,000 km of highways, on already available land of about 12,000 hectares. 

“The Green Highway Policy will help in making India pollution free. It will also help in curtailing the number of road accidents in India. The vision of the policy is to provide dignified employment to local people and communities,” according to Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways.

The government plans to spend around Rs 1,000 crore every year towards greening of our highways. The positive impact of such large scale plantation on overall weather patterns, soil fertility, water table and wildlife would be immense and has the potential to give an added impetus to economic growth of the nation.

Need for increasing tree cover

Trees form the very basis of our environment and contribute immeasurably towards a stable ecosystem. Consider the words of the learned Lord Avebury in this regard:
 

“The reckless and wanton destruction of forests has ruined some of the richest countries on earth. Syria and Asia Minor, Palestine and the north of Africa were once far more populous than they are at present. They were once lands ‘flowing with milk and honey,’ but are now in many places reduced to dust and ashes. Why is there this melancholy change? Why have deserts replaced cities? It is mainly owing to the ruthless destruction of the trees, which has involved that of nations. Even nearer home a similar process may be witnessed. Two French departments—the Hautes and Basses Alps—are being gradually reduced to ruin by the destruction of the forests. Cultivation is diminishing, vineyards are being washed away, the towns are threatened, the population is dwindling, and unless something is done the country will be reduced to a desert; until, when it has been released from the destructive presence of man, Nature reproduces a cover of vegetable soil, restores the vegetation, creates the forests anew, and once again fits these regions of the habitation of man.”

The situation in India is not too different from that described above. However, there is no land in India which can be released from the destructive presence of man for nature to recover. And hence, the proposed greening of our highways appears to be a solution to our deforestation problems.
 

Scanty Rainfall

Rainfall during the 2015 monsoon was scanty and infrequent. The direct outcome has been low water levels in dams and water reservoirs. Low rainfall also translates into lack of soil moisture, a factor causing repeated crop failures, leading to despair among the poor farmers. Conversely, there have also been increasing instances of very heavy rainfall in short durations (cloud bursts), causing destruction in the form of tree falls, collapsing houses, disruption in road and rail traffic and consequent economic loss.
 

If the greening of highways does really take off, Nitin Gadkari will be remembered for his vision for generations to come.

Tree species to be planted

According to the government, the policy will focus on planting indigenous trees only. Reports have indicated that species such as jacaranda, silver oak and peepul are the ones shortlisted. 

Here are a few suggestions regarding other species that may be considered for plantation:

Species:  Ziziphus Mauritiana

Indian names: Hindi: Ber; Marathi: Bor

The tree is well adapted to dry conditions and grows quite rapidly to reach upto 12M in height. It has thorny branches which would be fine for plantation along the highways. The fruit (ber), as made famous by Shabari (offered to Lord Rama), can be eaten fresh or dry and is a good source of Vitamin C. Large plantations can very well be a source of income for a number of people.
Being a fruit bearing plant, it will naturally attract a variety of bird species, chiefly barbets, parakeets and orioles.

 

Species: Pithecellobium dulce

Common name: Madras Thorn; street name: Gorkha- phal

This tree is supposedly from Central America and is now widely found all over India. The fruits are in the form of circular pods, green in color on the outside changing to wine-red when ripe, with thick white pulp and black shiny seeds. The pulp is very tasty and is popular among children in villages and small towns (self included while growing up in Hutti Gold Mines). The branches are covered with small sharp thorns often causing injuries to children adventurous enough to climb the trees.
The trees grow to very large dimensions in tropical and semi-arid regions & the fruits can be a source of food for people and birds alike, attracting several birds like barbet, starling (myna), bulbul, crow-pheasant, parakeet, koel, etc.
 

Species: Ficus racemosa

Common name: Cluster Fig; Marathi: Umbar

It is distributed throughout the plains of India. Mention is made in Unani medicine of the fruit’s medicinal properties as a cure for worms and piles and general well-being.
The fruits attract birds and mammals like rhesus monkey and langur.

Species: Phoenix sylvestris

Common name: Wild Date Palm; Hindi Khajur

Fairly widespread throughout India. It has a thick, rough bark and wild spiky leaves. The fruits can be a source of food. The tree is an article of commerce for its sap, which is sold as “neera” in fresh form. Upon fermentation, the alcohol content increases and it can be used a substitute for country liquor.

The government is bound to find many takers for maintenance of these trees for sure!

Following species require no explanations regarding their usefulness:

Species: Cocos Nucifera

Common name: Coconut Palm

Species: Syzygium Cumini

Common name: Jamun Tree; Hindi: Jamun; Marathi: Jambhul

Species: Tamarindus Indica

Common name: Tamarind; Hindi: Imli

Species: Toona Ciliata

Common name: Neem

Species: Borassus flabellifer
Asian palmyra palm, Sugar palm

Reduction in pollution

Will there be a reduction in pollution? As the minister has rightly said, the trees along the highways will definitely contribute in reducing pollution levels by acting as a barrier and absorbing pollutants. 

This, however, will make the trees susceptible to damage and disease. Accordingly, an important consideration in the proposed plantation drive is to maintain the trees to ensure that the green cover is maintained over the years. This could be done by constituting a national tree authority under the MoEF or the Ministry of Surface Transport. More details forthcoming in my next post. 

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