Patna: Women’s collectives in Bihar are at the forefront of a large-scale afforestation effort that has seen more than 4 crore saplings planted across the state in the past six years, according to officials.
Known locally as “Jeevika Didis”, the women – long associated with grassroots social awareness campaigns – are now playing a central role in environmental conservation through the “Harit Jeevika, Harit Bihar” (Green Livelihood, Green Bihar) programme.
Data from the state’s rural development department shows that about 10 million women have participated in the initiative, which combines ecological restoration with income-generating opportunities in rural areas.
A key pillar of the programme is the rapid expansion of community-run nurseries. Between the financial years 2019 and 2024–25, a total of 987 nurseries have been established across Bihar, including 677 that are fully managed by the women themselves under the “Didi nursery” model.
Officials say the model has emerged as a low-cost, locally driven approach to boosting tree plantation while providing stable livelihoods. Operated as small-scale enterprises, the nurseries supply saplings for plantation drives and create a steady source of income for participating women.
Selection for the nursery programme is carried out through cluster-level federations of self-help groups. Only active members with a record of adhering to group norms and maintaining strong loan repayment histories are chosen, officials said.
Participants also receive technical training. The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides instruction on raising timber saplings, while the horticulture directorate under the agriculture department runs a 15-day residential course focused on the care and conservation of fruit-bearing trees at its centre of excellence in Desari, Vaishali district.
The initiative is being seen as an example of how community-led programmes can align environmental goals with rural development, particularly by expanding economic opportunities for women.
