IPMA proposes pulpable tree plantations on National Highways

The Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy 2015 seeks to develop eco-friendly National Highways with participation of the community, farmers, NGOs, private sector, institutions, government agencies and the Forest Department for economic growth and development in a sustainable manner.

At the invitation of the National Green Highways Mission (NGHM), a Delegation of the IPMA Raw Material Sub-Committee met Dr. A K Bhattacharya, Managing Director, NGHM and his Team, and subsequently, Mr. Raghav Chandra, Chairman, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and his Team, on 5th August 2016 at NHAI Office, New Delhi.

The IPMA Delegation consisted of Ms. Suchita Bhandari, BILT Tree Tech Ltd.; Mr. Vivek Kumar Saxena, Century Pulp & Paper; Mr. Deepak Khare, International Paper APPM Ltd.; Mr. Suneel Pandey, ITC Ltd. (PSPD); Mr. R D Gupta, JK Paper Ltd.; Mr. Surendra Narkhede, JK Paper Ltd.; and Mr. Rohit Pandit, IPMA.

IPMA proposed to NGHM / NHAI that Pulp & Paper Mills, in collaboration with NHAI / NGHM, wish to raise tree plantations of pulpwood species, and to sustainably manage these plantations on rotation basis, for an agreement period of not less than 20 years (extendable on mutual consent), on mutually identified National Highways in the country. This project is to create large scale plantations which generate sustainable biomass, mitigate climate change, enhance green cover of the vacant land areas of National Highways and contribute to meeting the development / wood raw material needs of the Pulp & Paper Mills, as well as fuelwood requirements of local communities.