Published: 12 March 2026PIB / NHAI / DevDiscourseEnvironment
NHAI Releases India's First National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) 2025–26 Using ISRO Satellite Data
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released the first-ever Annual Report on the National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) 2025–26 on March 9, 2026, reported widely in current affairs on March 13, 2026. The index provides a scientific, quantitative assessment of green cover plantations within the Right of Way (RoW) along national highways, developed in partnership with ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under a three-year MoU signed in January 2024.
The NH-GCI utilises 5-metre resolution multispectral imagery from ISRO's Resourcesat-2/2A satellite (LISS-IV sensor), detecting vegetation through chlorophyll signals. Results are cross-verified using Cartosat-2S imagery and published on NRSC's open-source Bhuvan web-GIS portal. The first assessment cycle covered approximately 30,000 km of national highways across 24 states, analysing the July–December 2024 monitoring period.
The NH-GCI is significant for Rajasthan as the state has a large national highway network crossing arid and semi-arid zones. Green cover along highways functions as carbon sinks, reduces surface temperatures, controls soil erosion, and supports the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). NHAI's plantation drive under its 'Green Highways Policy' mandates 1% of project costs for green cover creation. The satellite-based index will now provide real-time accountability for plantation targets and contractual obligations of highway developers.
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss the objectives and methodology of India's first National Highways Green Cover Index 2025-26, highlighting the collaboration between NHAI and ISRO in monitoring highway-side plantations.
Answer (50 words):
Released on March 9, 2026, the NH-GCI uses 5-metre resolution multispectral imagery from ISRO's Resourcesat-2A LISS-IV sensor, cross-verified by Cartosat-2S satellite imagery. The first cycle covered 30,000 kilometres of national highways across 24 states, analysing July-December 2024. Published on the Bhuvan web-GIS portal, it enforces real-time accountability on highway green plantation targets.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionHard
Which ISRO satellite imagery is used by the National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) for vegetation detection?
Explanation · Correct answer BThe NH-GCI utilises 5-metre resolution multispectral imagery from ISRO's Resourcesat-2/2A satellite (LISS-IV sensor), detecting vegetation through chlorophyll signals. Results are cross-verified using Cartosat-2S imagery and published on NRSC's open-source Bhuvan web-GIS portal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NH Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) and who released it?
The NH Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) 2025-26 is India's first satellite-based metric for quantitatively monitoring roadside plantation density along national highways. It was released by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on March 9, 2026.
Which ISRO satellite and portal are used for the NH Green Cover Index?
The NH-GCI uses data from ISRO's Resourcesat-2A satellite, and the results are published on ISRO's Bhuvan GIS portal for transparent public access.
How much of India's national highway network is covered under the NH-GCI 2025-26?
The NH-GCI 2025-26 covers approximately 30,000 km of national highways across 24 states, enabling comprehensive monitoring of highway-side green cover.
How does the NH-GCI support India's climate commitments?
The NH-GCI aims to reduce carbon emissions from road infrastructure and supports India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement by encouraging systematic roadside afforestation along highways.
What is the significance of the NH-GCI for Rajasthan?
Rajasthan has an extensive national highway network including NH-48 and NH-58, and the NH-GCI will enable better monitoring and accountability for roadside afforestation along these corridors, aiding the state's green cover efforts.
