Dubai: The actions undertaken by the Bihar government in the field of afforestation, particularly through the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan, received praise from the international community at the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai on Saturday.
The Bihar delegation, led by Secretary Bandana Preyashi, Director (Ecology) Surendra Singh, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Ashutosh, participated in the prestigious COP28 event, which gathers nations as signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COP28 commenced on November 30, marking its opening with an agreement on a loss and damage fund to assist developing countries in coping with climate change impacts.
During a dedicated session on “Building Climate Resilience” at the Indian Pavilion, Secretary Bandana Preyashi and Director (Ecology) Surendra Singh delivered a detailed presentation titled “Afforestation Activities in Bihar to Combat Climate Change.”
Secretary Preyashi provided opening remarks, highlighting the larger policy framework and inter-departmental coordination under Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan. She emphasized Bihar’s holistic approach, stating, “The ‘Jal-Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan’ initiated in 2019 reflects the inherent interconnectedness between water management, vegetation coverage, and the existence of life. With an 11-pronged strategy involving 15 government departments, the program showcases a promising way to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.”
She continued, “The program has resulted in the creation and restoration of over one and a half lakh water bodies in a span of four years.”
Discussing the positive outcomes, Secretary Preyashi stated, “The green cover in the state has increased from 9.9% in 2019 to 14.75% in 2021, with a total of 381.008 million plantations since 2012-13.”
Secretary Preyashi also asserted that the experience of ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan’ could be replicated in regions vulnerable to climate change, such as South Asian countries and Sub Saharan Africa, facing irregular floods and droughts.
Furthermore, Secretary Preyashi highlighted the implementation of the green budget in Bihar since the fiscal year 2020-21. “Bihar is among the first states in the country to introduce a green budget, aiming to allocate budgetary provisions to address climate change, conserve the ecosystem, and protect biodiversity,” she said.
Director (Ecology) Surendra Singh further delved into the efforts of DoEFCC, elaborating on its initiatives, ongoing programs, achieved results, challenges faced, and the envisioned way forward.
Other participating states from India in the session included Sikkim and Jharkhand, and the session was moderated by Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Inspector General of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India.
