Most governments embark on public infrastructure projects during a recession to create jobs. India is now taking that approach to a new inspirational level. Indian youth unemployment is above 10% and deforestation is a major challenge in the country with the world’s second largest population, the Rural Development Ministry has announced that it will hire 300,000 youth to plant 2 billion trees along India’s 62,137 miles of highway. India is home to 6 of the World Health Organization’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution. Planting 2 billion trees will not just generate much-needed jobs, it will also help battle air pollution. Photograph: seeveeaar/flickr