National Highways Green Cover Index

Recently, the National Highways Authority of India released the first National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI).

About the National Highways Green Cover Index

The NH-GCI is an initiative developed by the National Highways Authority of India in collaboration with the National Remote Sensing Centre under Indian Space Research Organisation.

It aims to provide a scientific and quantitative assessment of green cover within the Right of Way (RoW) along National Highways using advanced space-based technologies.

Methodology Used

The NH-GCI uses satellite-based remote sensing techniques to assess vegetation cover.

• It relies on chlorophyll content detection through high-resolution satellite sensors.

• The analysis is based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, which measures vegetation health and density.

• Assessment is conducted for every one-kilometre highway stretch, ensuring detailed monitoring.

• It includes plantation cover along both sides of roads and medians wherever feasible.

Coverage

The index currently covers approximately 30,000 km of National Highways across 24 states for the period July–December 2024.

Significance of NH-GCI

The NH-GCI provides a robust, reliable, and cost-effective mechanism for assessing green cover along highways.

• It enables comparison and ranking of highway stretches based on vegetation cover

• Helps in identifying gaps and planning targeted plantation drives

• Supports sustainable infrastructure development and climate goals

Conclusion

The National Highways Green Cover Index represents a major advancement in integrating technology with environmental management.