NHAI plants 1.25 lakh saplings in a day, sets target for 75 lakh this year | India News

NEW DELHI: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Sunday planted 1.25 lakh saplings at 114 locations as part of its mega plantation drive along the NHs. It has also set the target to plant 75 lakh saplings by August 15 to mark the 75 years of India’s independence.
During the last monsoon, the highways authority had planted 72 lakh saplings across the country.

Addressing one such plantation event, Union road transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari said the ministry has been focusing on plantation and transplantation of trees. “During the rest of the year we cut trees for building roads. But I have instructed all our agencies that we will go for more transplantation of trees. Even in the Char Dham road project, we will be transplanting tress, though we have got the go ahead from the Supreme Court for tree cutting. Our focus is on development, ecology and environment,” he added.
He also directed the NHAI to geo-tag all saplings so that the progress and growth of these plants can be monitored.