2. Introduction
Emperor Ashoka, was the first Indian King who planted shady trees on
the sides of roads and later he was followed by Moghuls but this
planting was mostly Unplanned.
During the British Rule, this work was continued but it was done by the
Public Workers Department.
In 1938, Chaturvedi, drew the attention of the Government regarding
the arising questions for Neglecting Plantation, by preparing Working
scheme for U.P roads.
In present roadside plantation is being done in several states by Forest
Departments and National commission on Agriculture in India.
3. Factors of Locality and other
Conditions
Climate Varise from place to place as the roads passes through areas
with varying climates, the soil also varies from sandy to stiff clay with
stretches of Saline alkaline soils
The borrow pits upset the natural drainage and tend to become waterlogged.
Grazing does a lot of damage to the plants.
Soil Preparation
Done usually in winter, after winter rain, when soil is easy to dig.
60cm X 60cm deep pits are dug for mangifera indica and dalbergia
sissoo.
45cm X 45 cm for Eucalyptus and other species.
Alignment of rows of pits is very important from the point of view of
beauty of avenue planting.
4. Choice of Species
Spps. Should be hardy, evergreen or winter decidious, wind-firm, fast
growing, and fairly tall.
Should have good grown but should not have dropping branches
edible fruits and valuable timber Species are preferred.
most commonly used suitable species.
Accacia arabica, Albizzia procera, dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus spps, Ficus infectoria, F.
bengalensis, F. glomerata, Madhuca indica, Mangifera indica, Pongamia pinnata,
Syzygium cumuni, terminalia arjuna etc.
In saline alkaline soils, prosopis juliflora, Parkinsonia
aculeata have
proved very successful.
To break the monotony, ornnamental plants, such as Cassia fistula, Cassia
javanica, bahunnia variegata, Delonix regia, Jacaranda ovalifolia, Grevillea robusta,
lagerstroemia species, are planted near Kilometer stones.
In the hills, Populas nigra, Populas alba, Robinia, Acer oblongum,
Alianthus altissima, etc, can be planted.
5. Method of Raising Plants
Plants have to be raised under very adverse condition, so the protection
is a great problem.
Nursery grown tall plants with ball of earth or raised in containers, are
usually planted.
Plants are then transplanted in nursery two or three times to enable
them to develop a bushy root system
By Control of spacing: the plant become sturdy and tall
By Pruning: develops clear bole
Minimum height considered: 2.4 m for sisham, it takes 3 years to attain
this height, while mango and jamun take 2 to 3 years, Eucalyptus takes
8-9 months, and 1.5m for other species
6. Protection Methods
I.
Construction of a mud wall with diameter 1.5 m and of equal height,
round each plant
II.
Construction of circular open brick-work enclosure, 1.5 m in
diameter and height, with mortared overlaps and top curb, round
each plant
III.
Making a live circular hedge of Accacia arabica, Agave, etc. round
each plant
IV.
Old coaltar drums variously cut and bent to increase effective height
round each plant
V.
Tying of inverted Khajur (Palm) leaves on the steam of the plant all
round and making a ring of brush wood or thorens round each plant
7. Tending
Requires continuous attention for proper development
of plants
Stakes are used to give support to the tall lanky leaning
plants
During winter, frost-tender plants like mango and
jamun are protected against frost by erecting grass
covers over them
8. Advantage
Advantage
Increase property values
Improvement of Air Quality
Increase in community pride
Increase in Recreational Opportunities
Reduction of noise levels
9. Some Organizations Involved
Roadside tree planting through cooperative approach-
Bangladesh, 2006
Roadside Environment Committee, New South Whales
Environmental Conservation project: roadside tree
palntation in Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pardesh (MP) and
Delhi, 1999 (36,030 plants were planted in 232 km road
span)
Road Side Tree Plantation Project, July 2002 to June 2005.
Bangladesh
10. Roadside plantation in Nepal
The concept of bioengineering in road construction
was introduced in Nepal 40 years ago with roadside
plantations in a US-assisted project on the Dhangadhi
Dadeldhura highway in western Nepal.
It was later applied in the Lamosangu - Jiri highway in
the country's central hills region, built with Swiss
assistance.
