Green Highways (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy-2015 PDF
Green Highways (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy-2015 PDF
Green Highways (Plantation & Maintenance) Policy-2015 PDF
Policy-2015
VISION
OBJECTIVES
1.2 Often, while preparing the Land acquisition Plans for the highway
projects, the land needed for the avenue plantation and landscape
improvement is not considered during the DPR stage. As a result, after
construction, when the planting is actually to start, there is no option but to
accommodate planting in whatever space is available. The width of the
remaining ROW is, many times, not sufficient enough to accommodate even
a single row of plants; whereas at some places, three to four rows can be
planted. In order to ensure availability of sufficient width throughout for
avenue planting, it is recommended that the requirement of land for tree
plantation should be included in the Land Acquisition Plans prepared by the
DPR consultants.
2. Objectives of Plantation:
Plantation:
2.1 The main objectives of planting along the Highways are as follows: -
For aesthetic enhancement of the project corridors and places of
importance by planting selective ornamental trees, landscaping and turfing
with grasses and ornamental shrubs.
To reduce the impacts of air pollution and dust as trees and shrubs
are known to be natural sink for air pollutants.
To provide much needed shade on glaring hot roads during summer.
To reduce the impact of ever increasing noise pollution caused due
to increase in number of vehicles.
To arrest soil erosion at the embankment slopes.
Prevention of glare from the headlight of incoming vehicles.
Moderating the effect of wind and incoming radiation
The first row along the Highways will be of small to medium sized
ornamental trees.
Subsequent rows depending on the availability of width will comprise
of ornamental and/or shade bearing species, of more height than
those in the first row. In rural sections the last row will always be of
shade bearing tall trees.
Planting of shrubs in the median.
Planting of herbaceous species as ground cover in the median,
special landscapes, and embankment slopes.
Turfing with grass in the median, special landscapes, and
embankment slopes.
4.2 Table 1,2, and 3 list a few species, which can generally be planted
throughout India.
Table 3: Shade trees recommended for last (or the only) row in
roadside avenues
SOIL SPECIES
LOAMY Local name BOTANICAL NAME
Peepal Ficus religiosa
Paker Ficus infectoria
Mahua Madhuca indica
Mango Mangifera indica
Neem Azadirachta indica
Imli Tamarindus indica
Jamun Syzynium cuminii
Shisam Dalberjia sissoo
SANDY Shisam Dalbergia sissoo
ALKALINE Neem Azadirachta indica [ at ph up
[USAR] to 8.5]
Kanji Pongamia pinnata [ upto 9.0 p
h]
Arjun Terminelia arjuna
WATER LOGGED Jamun Syzyniumcuminii
AREA Arjun Terminalia arjuna
4.3 The above lists represent common species, which can be planted
almost throughout India. Region-wise specific choices can be made with
the help of local experts from the Forest department and Horticulture
department. As far as possible, fruit bearing trees like Mango, Neem,
Jamun and Imli are ideal for areas near habitations throughout India. Other
locally useful fruit bearing species like Jackfruit, Mahua, Bel, etc., may also
be preferred.
Grass lines are used to provide a strong surface cover but need a
well-prepared surface in which to be planted. If grass is to be an effective
form, then it must be allowed to establish properly on a slope which does
not subject to undue stress from erosion and mass movement in its initial
stages.Sowing of grasses is intended to create a strengthened surface that
is resistant to erosion.
4.6 Transplantation
Occasion may arise when a grown-up tree has to be cut for making
room for constructing a road, a building or other structure. It would be
desirable to save this plant by transplanting it at a suitable site. To do this
successfully some time is necessary. In winter when the tree is dormant or
less active, it should be pruned heavily leaving a bare framework of the
large branches. A 40 to 50 cm wide trench 1 to 2 m deep should be dug
around the stem as much distance away from it, depending upon the stature
of the specimen, cutting all the roots, big and small, in the process.The job
of tree transplantation is quite complex and requires high quality expertise,
technique besides specialised equipment and infrastructure.
5. Present System
6. Land Requirement
I. To provide flatter side slopes in cuts and fills along with contouring
of the adjacent land.
II. To provide enough space for planting suitable trees and plants.
III. To provide sufficient area for parking, look out spots and other
aesthetic features.
7. Plantation Agency
7.1 The entire highway network can be divided into two categories
based on the legal status of the existing road-side plantations. In areas,
7.2 In areas, such highway corridors where the ROW is not declared as
protected forest,the roadside plantations may be taken up either through
the contractor (if it is a BOQ item), the Concessionaire (if it is included in
the concession agreement), forest departmentand department dealing the
Watershed Development in the State, Watershed Cell-cum-Data
Centre[WCDC] at district level and the Watershed Committee [WC] at
local level withlocal communities / panchayat level institutions / Women
Self Help Groups (WSHGs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) / Joint Forest
Management Committees (JFMC), or through open bidding.
9.1.3 The Nodal agency for forest areas will be the concerned forest
range office. In case of Public Funded Projects the concerned Regional
Officer of MoRT&H/NHAI will be the nodal agency. In cases where
roadside plantation is included inthe concession agreement, the concerned
concessionaire will be the nodal agency.
9.1.5 The selection of species will be strictly doneas per the said
guidelines or as per the recommendation of adjoining forest department
with site specific native species.
9.1.6 The planting agency will have no right whatsoever on the land under
plantation. Such agency will not be authorized to undertake any other form
of under-plantations or any other activity on such land. An MOU shall be
signed with the agency for strict compliance of the technical specification,
species, maintenance schedule, survival, payment terms and conditions and
on the legal right of the land as well as forest produce (Annexure-I).
10.1 The plantation scheme has been broadly classified into two
categories which are as follows:-
The plants will be at spacing of 3 x 3 meters and size of the pits for
planting will be 0.6m dia and deep. Therefore, total no. of plants per km
will be 333 in case where single row is proposed and 666 in case of two
rows.
The surface for the median plantation should be well prepared. The
masses of loose derbies on the median and any convexities will be
removed and similarly any concavities are to be filled by good soil. The
surface should have sufficient layer of good quality soil so as to have a
better growth and survival of grasses and shrubs.
10.2Protection
Protection measures
10.3Maintenance
Maintenance of Plantation
10.4 Default
11.0 Monitoring
11.1 The Monitoring Agency will monitor progress of planting and status
of plantations on continuous basis.
11.2 This agency shall carry out the site visit for field verification in
respect of survival, growth and size of plantation and maintenance of the
same.
11.3 The project coordinator of the plantation agency will submit
Progressreport to the monitoring Agency with a copy to the concerned
Project office of PD/RO MoRTH/NHAI by 18th and 3rd date of every month,
for the preceding fortnight (i.e., 1st to 15th, and 16th to the last of every
month, respectively), in excel format through e-mail.
11.4 The Horticulturist/Supervisor of plantation agencywill compile and
report quarterly status to the monitoring agency with a copy to concerned
(Regional office) by 7th date of every quarter, in excel format by e-mail.
11.5 The monitoring agency shall examine the reports and send feedback
and action points to planting agency, nodal agency and will send a
comprehensivereport with recommendation to NHAI/MoRTH.
11.6 The concerned division in MoRTH/NHAI will examine the reports
and after appropriate action. A verified of the monitoring database will be
uploaded on the website.
The usufructs from the roadside plantations will be shared as per the
following arrangement:
From plantations raised by the Forest Department, the share
will be determined and approved by the competent authority in
the Forest Department and will be specified in the plantation
scheme.
In case of plantations raised by WSHGs, JFMCs, SHGs or other
such local institutions, the said agency will have full rights on
intermediary produce like dried fuel wood, fruits, etc. for the
period of contract only.
The Panchayat/Local Authority will have full rights on
intermediary produce like dried fuel wood, fruits, etc with in
their jurisdiction after the expiry of the contract period of
plantation and maintenance with the plantation agency with the
condition they should protect the encroachment of ROW and
plantation from the 1st day of project under implementation.
An MOU should be signed with the local self Government
Agency in this regard.
14. Survival
The survival should be 90% after raising the plantation of age one
year at any stage during contractual period with normal shape and size.
1.6 Penalty
And
1. ________ [name of the nodal agency] has been established under the
___________ with the main objective of ________________.
Therefore,
10. ____________ [name of the executing agency] will adopt the similar
procedures of accounting and release of fund as that of procedures used
for funds received from DRDA and other similar agencies.
11. Plantations are not possible in stretches where highway crosses any
river, nala and road as area for plantation will not be available for that
particular stretch.
13. ____________ [name of the nodal agency] will release the funds in
advance as per payment terms [modify as per applicability]. The
authorized representative of ____________ [name of the nodal agency] will
undertake physical verification and recommend for the release of fund, and
funds will be released for the same. Physical verification and
recommendation for release of fund would be conducted in such a way that
fund is released in time to meet the expenditure of ongoing and necessary
works and continuity is maintained.
15. _________ [name of the nodal agency] will bear the cost escalation
due to increase in minimum daily wage rate announced from time to time
by Government of State [use this clause if applicable].
18. ___________ [Name of the nodal agency] will allow the movement of
labourers in plantation area. It will also permit construction of temporary
huts, labour sheds, pipelines, water storage tanks, etc., purely temporary in
natures which are required for raising the plantations. __________ [Name of
the executing agency] will consult ___________ [Name of the nodal agency]
before construction of such temporary structures, and will do so only in
agreement with ___________ [Name of the nodal agency].
___________ [Name of the nodal agency] will maintain the plantation once it
is handed over to them. ___________ [Name of the executing agency] will
not be responsible for any damage of plantation, once it is handed over to
___________ [Name of the nodal agency]. If ___________ [Name of the nodal
agency] wishes to get these plantations maintained further by ___________
[Name of the executing agency], they may approach the ___________
[Name of the executing agency]. The ___________ [Name of the executing
agency] may take up the maintenance works of the plantations on the
mutually agreed term and conditions at that point of time.
21. ___________ [Name of the executing agency] will ensure that the
survival of plants should be 90% at the time of handing over the plantation
to ___________ [Name of the nodal agency]. In case the survival is less
than 90%, casualties will be replaced by the ___________ [Name of the
nodal agency] at their own cost before handing over. The casualties will be
replaced by plants of height not less than the average height of plantation.
Average height of the plants should not be less than height achieved by the
same species growing naturally in that area, except for the reasons beyond
human control.
22. Rates suggested in the project are for budgeting purpose. Amount
unutilized in one item may be utilized for another item within overall budget
limit.
[Name
[Name of the executing
executing agency] [Name of the nodal agency]
Introduction
Objective
Shade Plants
i. Trees with high crown forms secure better visibility and are
therefore ideal.
ii. Trees that retain their foliage longest are preferred to
deciduous trees
iii. Trees with long gestation period and having rapid growth and a
capacity to resist fungal and insects attack form ideal avenues.
SOIL SPECIES
LOAMY Local name BOTANICAL NAME
Arjun Termineliaarjuna
Arjun Terminaliaarjuna
Imli Tamarindusindica
WATER Jamun Syzyniumcuminii
LOGGED AREA
Jamun Syzyniumcuminii
Mahua Madhucaindica
Mango Mangiferaindica
ALKALINE Neem Azadirachtaindica[ atph up to
[USAR] Kanji 8.5]
Pongamiapinnata[ upto 9.0
ph]
Peepal Ficusreligiosa
Paker Ficusinfectoria
Shisam Dalberjiasissoo
Neem Azadirachtaindica
SANDY Shisam Dalbergiasissoo
11.
11.6.1 Shade plants (Last row)
Protection measure
** Plantation agency shall ensure that the survival should be more than
90% from and onwards 2nd year and also the average size and growth. The
funds for 2nd year and subsequent year shall be released after fulfil the said
condition.
schedule:
Submission of progress report as per following schedule:
Tractor Trolley - 1
Truck mounted with water tanker (10000 lit) - 1
Tractor Attached with water tanker (5000-6000 lit) - 1
Project Length-
Length A stretch of 8-10 km or as otherwise suggested by
experts, based on local requirement, will be taken up as one project for
this purpose.
___________ [Name of the plantation agency] will hand over the plantations
to ___________ [Name of the nodal agency] in years detailed below: [please
give actual schedule]
___________ [Name of the executing agency] will ensure that the survival
of plants should be 90% at the time of handing over the plantation to
___________ [Name of the nodal agency]. In case the survival is less than
90%, casualties will be replaced by the ___________ [Name of the nodal
agency] at their own cost before handing over. The casualties will be
replaced by plants of height not less than the average height of plantation.
Average height of the plants should not be less than height achieved by the
Payment
Payment
i) 25% of the total project cost i.e. raising of plantation and 5-years
maintenance as an advance to the successful agencyon furnishing of Bank
Guarantee.
ii) 20% towards First year maintenance after ensuring the survival at
least 90%;
____________ [name of the nodal agency] will release the funds in advance
of 25% of the total project cost [modify as per applicability] and the
balance amount in equal instalment after recommendation of nodal agency
at site(, RO/PD, MoRTH/NHAI).
Annexure III