Government Of Bihar

Shri Nitish Kumar Hon'ble Chief Minister

Government of Bihar | Official Website

‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan’ adopts a comprehensive multi-pronged approach in addressing the issue of climate change. The programme is based on the notion that climate change needs to be addressed from multifarious perspectives that ought to involve different aspects of sustainability such as water conservation, afforestation, adoption to greener and cleaner energy sources and sustainable agricultural practices. A total of eleven identified and targeted interventions (components) are being implemented under the programme:

1. Identification and removal of encroachment from public water bodies, reservoirs, etc.
2. Restoration and rejuvenation of public water bodies such as Ponds/Aahars/Payeens.
3. Identification and renovation of public wells.
4. Construction of soak pits/recharge pits and other water conservation structures near public wells and hand pumps.
5. Construction of check dams and water conservation structures near rivulets and water storage structures in hilly areas.
6. Construction of new water Resources. Uplift of water from the rivers having surplus water to the water deficit areas.
7. Roof top rain-water harvesting structures.
8. Creation of nurseries and massive afforestation.
9. Adoption of alternative agriculture, drip irrigation organic farming and other new agro techniques.
10. Promotion of solar energy and conservation of energy.
11. Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali awareness campaign.

Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan is also unique in the sense that it brings together fifteen separate state government departments under a single umbrella for the smooth implementation of this programme. It is no less than a herculean task in a diverse democracy like India. The fifteen Stakeholder government departments of Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan are as follows:

1. Rural Development Department (Nodal department)
2. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department
3. Water Resources Department
4. Revenue and Land Development Department
5. Minor Water Resources Department
6. Urban and Housing Department
7. Agriculture Department
8. Building Construction Department
9. Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Department
10. Health Department
11. Education Department
12. Panchyati Raj Department
13. Public Health Engineering Department
14. Energy Department
15. Information & Public Relations Department

The underlying notion behind this multi-stakeholder programme is that Environmental sustainability is a common but differentiated responsibility.

Tangible and Intangible Impacts of the Programme

Since its inception, about thirty thousand public ponds, puddles, aahars, pynes and dug wells have been made encroachment free across the state under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan. More than one lakh public water harvesting structures have been rejuvenated. With the objective to increase the ground water level, approximately one and a half Lakh soak pits have been constructed near public wells and hand pumps. Promotion of organic farming and micro irrigation and rain water harvesting structures in public buildings are some of the salient features of this Abhiyan. Component wise achievement of the programme is shown below:

Component No.	Component Details	Unit	Progress (As on 17.12.2026)
1	Identification and removal of encroachment from public water bodies such as Ponds/Aahars/Payeens	No. of Ponds/Aahars/Payeens/Wells	28,685
2	Restoration and rejuvenation of public water bodies such as Ponds/Aahars/Payeens	No. of Ponds No. of Aahars/Payeens	26,381 78,090
3	Identification and renovation of public wells	No. of public wells	38,400
4	Construction of soak pits/recharge pits and other water conservation structures near public wells and hand pumps	No. of soak pits constructed near public wells/hand pumps	2,54,883
5	Construction of check dams and water conservation structures near rivulets and water storage structures in hilly areas	No. of check dams	13,170
6	Construction of new water resources. Uplift of water from the rivers having surplus water to the water deficit areas	No. of new water resources constructed	75,621
7	Roof top rain-water harvesting structures	No. of structures	15,129
8	Creation of nurseries and massive afforestation	No. of saplings planted (in Crore)	21.3
9	Adoption of alternative agriculture, drip irrigation, organic farming and other new agro techniques	Area of organic farming (in Acre) Area of drip irrigation (in Acre)	86,152 53,932
10	Promotion of solar energy and conservation of energy	No. of Govt. buildings equipped with Solar energy plants	12,294
11	Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali awareness campaign	A number of activities	A number of activities that includes observing ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Day’ on first Tuesday of each month; Participatory and community involving methodologies, Focused social media campaigns etc.

According to the ‘Dynamic Ground Water Resources Assessment of India-2022’ report, published by the Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India:

Annual Ground Water Recharge of Bihar has increased from 28.05 to 33.14 billion cubic metre in comparison to the year 2020.
Annual Extractable Ground Water Resources has increased from 25.46 to 30.04 billion cubic metre in comparison to the year 2020.

The report has specifically credited the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan for the increase in ground water level of Bihar.

Similarly, a major positive shift has also been reported in the green cover of the state. In the Forest Survey of India Report, 2022, an increase of 1.03% in the forest cover of Bihar was reported in 2021 as compared to 2019.

Appreciation

COP-28 (Dubai 2023)

Bihar garnered global recognition for its afforestation efforts under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan at the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai. A presentation was given on the topic ‘Afforestation Activities in Bihar to Combat Climate Change’ at the Dubai Climate Summit.

Awards

The mission received the Award of Excellence in the Project Category at the 20th CSI e-Governance Awards.
It also secured the Third Prize in the Best State Category at the 4th National Water Awards-2022.