Bihar Forests Department Holds Consultation Meet with World Bank on State Clean Air Action Plan

Patna: A crucial meeting between the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (DoEFCC) officials and the World Bank took place in Patna on Wednesday, aiming to bolster air quality in Bihar through the Bihar Clean Air Action Plan (BCAAP). The meeting, led by DoEFCC Secretary Bandana Preyashi, saw the active participation of the Country Director of the World Bank, Auguste Tano Kouame, and his representatives.

S Chandrasekar, Member Secretary of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), shed light on the BCAAP project, executed under a collaborative agreement between the World Bank and BSPCB. This partnership extends to working with state departments and urban local bodies to implement a comprehensive five-year state action plan dedicated to air pollution control across all districts of Bihar.

The BCAAP, as outlined in a statement by the DeEFCC, has been meticulously crafted through discussions with relevant stakeholders, emphasizing a ‘city-by-city’ approach within a state-wide airshed plan to enhance air quality in Bihar. The overarching goal is to achieve statewide air quality targets by 2030, with a focus on prioritizing key tasks.

During the meeting, DoEFCC Secretary delivered a detailed presentation, showcasing various activities and scheme achievements.

Crucial aspects such as tree plantation, afforestation, wildlife conservation, soil and moisture conservation, wetlands management, climate change initiatives, and air quality improvement were extensively discussed. The department highlighted the possibility of financial cooperation with the World Bank in these areas.