Bhubaneswar: The dual threats of climate change and environmental pollution are currently a significant global concern, with rapid urbanization and deforestation exacerbating their adverse effects on human and other living societies. In response, the Odisha state government has intensified efforts to tackle this problem and fulfill its commitment to creating an environment-friendly state.
Under the guidance of esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Odisha is progressing towards comprehensive development, led by Honorable Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. Law, Public Works, and Excise Minister Shri Prithviraj Harichandan recently announced a major step in this direction: tree plantation will now be mandatory during the construction of all new highways, district main roads, and other roads built under the Public Works Department across the state. Principal Secretary Works, Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh and other senior officials were present in the meeting.
The department has officially communicated this directive to the EIC (Civil & Roads), EIC (NH), and MD, OBCC, instructing extensive tree planting on both sides of the new roads and within the median dividers. The overarching goal is to establish and maintain a green corridor along all state roads.
To support this initiative, new guidelines mandate spending an additional 1 percent of the road construction cost on tree plantation and subsequent maintenance. This massive afforestation effort is expected to yield multiple environmental benefits, including reducing air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen levels, mitigating noise pollution, preventing soil erosion, improving overall air quality, and providing essential cooling in surrounding areas during hot weather.
This decision to enforce roadside tree planting is a concrete fulfillment of the state government’s election promises regarding combating climate change through extensive afforestation. It is expected to significantly contribute to soil conservation and the reduction of various forms of pollution. This pioneering move is poised to be a milestone in maintaining environmental balance, potentially positioning Odisha as a leading state in environmental stewardship across the country.