Maharashtra To Plant Indigenous Trees Along All Highways, Roads Under New Policy
Maharashtra has embarked on a significant environmental initiative, adopting a comprehensive policy to plant indigenous trees along all national and state highways, major road projects, and rural thoroughfares. This strategic move by the Public Works Department aims to enhance ecological balance and combat climate change. The policy prioritises not just planting but also the long-term survival of these trees, underscoring a commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and fostering greener, healthier communities across the state.
The newly adopted policy marks a pivotal shift towards ecological stewardship within Maharashtra’s infrastructural development framework. By mandating the exclusive use of indigenous tree species, the government aims to bolster local biodiversity, support native ecosystems, and enhance the region’s natural resilience against environmental shifts. This approach is crucial for carbon sequestration, improving air quality, and mitigating the urban heat island effect, directly contributing to the state’s ambition for zero net carbon cities. All relevant government departments are being re-instructed to ensure rigorous implementation of this forward-thinking directive, signalling a unified commitment to environmental sustainability.
A key tenet of this greening initiative is the heightened emphasis on tree survival beyond initial planting. Recognising that mere plantation is insufficient, a dedicated oversight mechanism will be established to conduct regular inspections of the trees’ health and growth. This proactive monitoring ensures that public funds are effectively utilised towards creating lasting green assets. Furthermore, the existing rule requiring ten new trees to be planted for every one removed during road construction projects remains firmly in place, with these conditions now explicitly embedded within project tenders to enforce environmental accountability on contractors.
In a significant upgrade to fiscal accountability and project execution, the funding model for tree plantation has been revised. Previously, contractors received funds upfront via the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. The new system segments plantation efforts into five distinct stages, with funds released only upon the successful completion of each phase. This structured approach ensures diligent execution and incentivises contractors to prioritise the long-term viability of the planted saplings. The government is also actively promoting the replanting of uprooted trees, with numerous successful instances already recorded, demonstrating a commitment to preserving existing green cover.
Leveraging modern technology, the policy incorporates geo-tagging to precisely map and monitor planted trees, while Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be deployed to track comprehensive data on their survival rates. This data-driven approach allows for real-time assessment and adaptive management, ensuring optimal outcomes. Contractors failing to meet plantation norms are already facing penalties, and going forward, their responsibility will explicitly extend to ensuring the survival of the trees. This comprehensive, technology-backed policy is poised to transform Maharashtra’s road networks into verdant corridors, enhancing environmental quality and contributing significantly to the state’s vision of creating sustainable, equitable, and eco-friendly urban and rural landscapes for all its citizens.
