Lucknow: The Awadh Forest Division of the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department has won third prize in Category III—Plantation in Land Parcels—at the NHAI Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026.The honour, instituted by the National Highways Authority of India, recognises development, maintenance and high survival of a Miyawaki plantation raised in loop areas at the intersection of the Lucknow-Ayodhya Road and the Lucknow Outer Ring Road, across Km 79.516 to 94.457.Divisional forest officer Sitanshu Pandey said NHAI assessed plant survival, plantation quality, protection measures and maintenance practices, and an evaluation team found growth and upkeep satisfactory during inspection. The division credited Kukrail Range Officer’s team, including Atijit Joshi and Banshidhar Srivastava, along with field staff and regular senior-official reviews. The plantation also supports carbon sequestration, biodiversity and urban green cover.
