• By Kamakshi Bishnoi
  • Thu, 17 Apr 2025 03:13 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the Aga Khan Foundation held a state-level workshop on the sustainability and conservation of groundwater-based water supply schemes. PHED Principal Secretary Pankaj Kumar inaugurated the event, emphasising that conserving surface water as groundwater is crucial for maintaining adequate drinking water supplies. 

Kumar highlighted the challenge of depleting groundwater levels in Bihar due to changing weather patterns and uncontrolled exploitation, stressing the need for systematic efforts in groundwater monitoring and conservation. Kumar advocated for judicious water use and the development of alternative sources like surface water for non-drinking purposes, such as livestock or washing. 

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Bihar, he noted, is the first state to prioritise water quality with the launch of the 'Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal' scheme and the 'Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali' campaign in 2019. Treatment plants ensure purified water supply in areas with quality concerns, and further technological and structural improvements are planned. 

Other attendees included MGNREGA Commissioner Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, who reported the restoration of 94,244 public water harvesting structures under MGNREGA, along with the construction of 2680 check dams and water harvesting structures and 3035 rainwater harvesting structures in buildings. Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission Director Pratibha Rani, Central Ground Water Board Regional Director Rajiv Ranjan Shukla, and Aga Khan Foundation Director Dr Asad Umar were also present.