Patna: Bihar is set to intensify its flagship environmental initiative, the Jal- Jeevan- Hariyali campaign, with a target of planting 5 crore saplings in the financial year 2025–26. The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will host a focused discussion on nursery creation and intensive tree plantation on August 5 as part of the campaign’s regular activities.
Initiated in 2019, the campaign is designed to address climate change, expand the state’s green cover, conserve water sources, and promote energy efficiency. The initiative mandates that all participating departments observe Jal- Jeevan- Hariyali Day on the first Tuesday of each month. This month’s observance falls on August 5.
The Department of Environment is leading the implementation in collaboration with 15 stakeholder departments, with the Rural Development Department serving as the nodal coordinator. The scheme comprises 11 components, two of which—Component 5 and Component 8—are managed directly by the Environment Department.
Component 5 involves the construction of check dams and other water retention structures in small rivers, streams, and hilly terrains. From 2019–20 to 2024–25, a total of 26,482 such structures have been completed. Component 8 focuses on nursery development and dense plantation, under which a total of 20.20 crore saplings have been planted so far.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests PK Gupta reported that as of now, 1 crore saplings have been planted out of the 5 crore target for 2025–26. Last year, the campaign had a goal of 4.67 crore saplings, of which 4.14 crore were successfully planted—an achievement rate of 90 percent.
