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The Patna High Court has directed the Bihar government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to submit detailed reports on the plantation, maintenance and conservation of trees along national highways in the state. The court sought information on measures taken to ensure compensatory plantation, survival of saplings and protection of roadside greenery during highway development. The directions came while hearing a public interest matter concerning environmental protection, highlighting the need to balance expanding road infrastructure with ecological conservation and sustainable development.
The Patna High Court has asked the Bihar government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to furnish comprehensive reports on the plantation and preservation of trees along national highways in the state. The directions were issued during the hearing of a public interest litigation concerning environmental safeguards associated with highway development projects.
The court sought details on the number of trees planted along highway corridors, the measures adopted to ensure their survival and the mechanisms in place to monitor plantation activities. It also called for information on the steps being taken to conserve existing roadside trees while implementing road expansion and infrastructure projects.
The bench emphasised that plantation drives alone cannot achieve environmental objectives unless adequate attention is given to the maintenance and long-term survival of saplings. It indicated that authorities must demonstrate whether compensatory plantation programmes are being effectively implemented and monitored after project completion.
Highway expansion often requires the removal of existing trees to accommodate wider carriageways, service roads and associated infrastructure. Environmental regulations generally require compensatory plantation to offset the ecological impact of such projects, making regular monitoring an important aspect of compliance.
The court's intervention comes at a time when Bihar is witnessing significant investment in road infrastructure, including new highways, bypasses and capacity augmentation projects. While these developments are expected to improve connectivity and support economic growth, they also underscore the importance of integrating environmental safeguards into infrastructure planning.
Roadside plantations contribute to reducing dust, improving air quality, lowering surface temperatures and creating green buffers along transport corridors. Well-maintained plantations also help stabilise soil, reduce erosion and enhance the overall environmental quality of highway networks.
The High Court's directions are expected to strengthen accountability in the implementation of plantation and conservation measures associated with highway projects. Based on the reports submitted by the state government and NHAI, the court is likely to examine whether existing environmental commitments are being fulfilled and whether additional measures are required to improve the protection of roadside greenery in Bihar.
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