Patna: The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) on Friday distributed prizes to winners of state-level painting and quiz competitions, highlighted a large-scale tree plantation campaign across Bihar, and reviewed efforts to promote scientific waste management and climate action awareness.
The programme was organised as part of the board’s environmental awareness initiatives and was held at Gyan Bhawan in Patna. More than 1,000 students from Bihar and neighbouring states participated in the competitions.
Over 1,000 Students Participate In Painting Competition
The state-level painting competition, organised on June 1, drew 1,066 participants from 16 districts, including Begusarai, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, Gaya, Khagaria, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Purnia, Saharsa, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Vaishali and West Champaran. Students from Kolkata, Dhanbad and Haridwar also took part.
The competition was conducted across five age groups covering Classes I to X. The entries were evaluated by a jury headed by the principal of the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Patna. Winners received trophies, certificates and books from BSPCB Chairman Dr D.K. Shukla and Member Secretary Neeraj Narayan.
In the quiz competition, 163 students participated, including 54 male and 55 female contestants. Following screening and semi-final rounds, four teams were selected for the top positions, while four additional teams received consolation prizes.
Nearly 20,000 Saplings Planted Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’
The board reported that 19,472 saplings were planted across Bihar under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign through industrial units operating under its five regional offices.
The highest plantation figure was recorded under the Begusarai regional office, which planted 13,282 saplings across Begusarai and Samastipur districts. The Muzaffarpur region accounted for 5,201 saplings across Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Saran and Gopalganj. Additional plantation drives were undertaken in Patna, Gaya and Purnia divisions.
Push For Solid Waste Management Rules
The BSPCB said it has intensified awareness efforts on the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, following directions issued by the Supreme Court. Between April 15 and May 7, the board conducted 12 online training programmes attended by 20,093 participants.
The sessions focused on segregation of waste at source into four categories, local processing of biodegradable waste through composting and bio-gas generation, and a complete ban on open dumping and burning of waste.
Acting on the board’s recommendations, the Panchayati Raj Department organised special Gram Sabha meetings across Bihar’s villages to disseminate information about the new rules and encourage compliance.
Podcast Released To Promote Environmental Awareness
As part of the campaign, the BSPCB released a podcast by scientist Nalini Mohan Singh explaining key provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. The podcast was disseminated through social media platforms under the Lohiya Swachh Bihar Abhiyan run by the Rural Development Department.
Six Employees Honoured
The board also recognised six employees for their contribution to institutional performance, commitment and public service. Certificates and books were presented by BSPCB Chairman Dr D.K. Shukla and Member Secretary Neeraj Narayan.
Climate Action Workshop Brings Together National And International Experts
A workshop on “Climate Action, Waste Reduction and Sustainable Development” was organised at the board headquarters in Patna in collaboration with the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI). The event brought together policymakers, researchers and academics from India, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Among the speakers was Dr Anshuman Tiwari of the University of Chicago, who discussed the relationship between industrial water pollution and agricultural productivity. Participants highlighted improvements in water quality in the Ganga between Buxar and Bhagalpur and noted that, according to Central Pollution Control Board assessments, no heavily polluted river stretch remains in this section of the river.
Researchers from the University of California discussed how environmental education can influence behaviour across generations, while experts from the London School of Economics examined the links between electricity access, rural development and economic progress.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof Stela Z. Lovo of the University of Reading, who stressed the need to understand the long-term economic impacts of climate change, warning that climate vulnerability could slow poverty reduction in developing regions.
The BSPCB said the initiatives reflected its broader efforts to combine environmental awareness, sustainable development and community participation across Bihar.
