Patna: The Water Resources Department of Bihar observed Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali with a focus on sustainable water management and environmental preservation. The event, held at the Departmental Auditorium in Irrigation Bhawan, was chaired by Principal Secretary of the department, Santosh Kumar Malla. The ceremony began with a symbolic gesture of offering water to a plant, underscoring the day’s environmental ethos.
Addressing the gathering, Malla emphasised the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan, calling it a “comprehensive and multidimensional campaign” aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of environmental and climate change. He spotlighted the Ganga Jal Supply Scheme, a major initiative under the department, which has significantly reduced groundwater exploitation in cities such as Rajgir, Nawada, Gaya, and Bodh Gaya.
According to the department, the implementation of this scheme has led to a marked rise in groundwater levels, especially in areas surrounding the Ganga Jal reservoirs like Rajgir and Gaya. Additionally, the initiative is being expanded to supply drinking water to Aurangabad, Dehri, and Sasaram using surface water from the Son River. Officials stated that this shift will ease pressure on underground water sources and have a positive ecological impact.
Ram Kumar Poddar, Deputy Mission Director of the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission and Additional Secretary of the Rural Development Department, remarked that the mission is vital for safeguarding life itself. He stressed the importance of public awareness in ensuring the initiative’s success in the face of climate challenges.
Other speakers included Senior Advisor for Policy Affairs, Ravindra Kumar Shankar, Ishwar Chandra Thakur of the Governing Council of WALMI, and Deputy Secretary of the Information and Public Relations Department, Neena Jha, all of whom underscored the campaign’s significance.
The event saw the participation of officers and employees from various implementing departments of the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan.
