Herbal highways are a good drive

A little haldi by the highway or ratanjot for the road, anyone? Herbal highways, the environmental initiative just announced by the Uttar Pradesh government, seems an ideal health drive. Who would not like to cruise along amid fronds of beneficial shrubbery drawn from the annals of Ayurveda rather than ugly concrete and metal railings? Of course, given the general nature of traffic on such roads, it would be safer for drivers and passengers to stay more focused on the nature of oncoming vehicles than the greenery on medians and road shoulders. Whether these traditional herbs will be able to survive constant bombardment by diesel fumes and other automobile emissions remains to be seen too; as, indeed, does the prospect of their intrinsic benefits after the daily dose of pollutants.

The biggest danger, however, is that gratified road users may want to stop and gather some of these herbal goodies to take home, which would be very good for health and safety on highways at all. Then there is the issue of who the herbs belong to: the highway authorities, local people or motorised itinerants? If these herbaceous central verges are meant for air purification and viewing pleasure only, the question arises about what will happen to those ‘bumper’ crops of haldi, ratanjot, brahmi, ashwagandha et al. The UP government must clear the air.