- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 08 May 2025 04:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a significant development, the hills and forests of Jamui and Gaya—districts once known for their acute water scarcity—are witnessing a revival of greenery, accompanied by rising groundwater levels. This progress was highlighted during a discussion hosted by the Minor Water Resources Department at Jal Bhawan on Wednesday, observed as Water-Life-Greenery Day.
Themed around the renovation of public water storage structures and the construction of check dams in small rivers, streams, and hilly terrains, the event brought together officials from 15 state departments and the Central Ground Water Board, Patna.
Director of the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission, Pratibha Rani, who chaired the session, praised the collaborative efforts of participating departments, noting that the mission has received both national and international recognition.
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Launched by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on October 2, 2019, in response to the 2019 water crisis, the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan has led to significant interventions across Bihar. Engineer-in-Chief of the Minor Water Resources Department, Sunil Kumar, detailed the various initiatives under the campaign, including the renovation of large public water storage systems like ahar-pain (larger than one acre) and ponds over five acres.
Kumar also informed that weirs and check dams are being constructed to enhance irrigation across up to 2,000 hectares in the command areas. Additionally, major water bodies are being built in plateau regions, and garland trenches are under construction around mountain foothills to improve water retention and ecosystem stability.
These efforts mark a turning point for the southern districts of Bihar, long afflicted by seasonal droughts and groundwater depletion.