The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Bihar is set to organize a discussion on August 5th focusing on nursery creation and intensive afforestation as part of the Jal Jeevan Hariyali campaign. Launched in 2019, the campaign aims to tackle climate change, increase green cover, conserve water resources, and promote energy conservation in the state.
All implementing departments have been instructed to observe Jal Jeevan Hariyali Day on the first Tuesday of every month. This year’s event is scheduled for August 5th.
The campaign is being implemented by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with 15 other stakeholder departments. The Rural Development Department has been designated as the nodal department to coordinate efforts among the various departments. The initiative encompasses 11 components.
The Environment Department is responsible for components 5 and 8, which involve constructing check dams and other water harvesting structures in small rivers, drains, and hilly areas, along with nursery creation and intensive afforestation.
The department has constructed a total of 26,482 check dams and water structures from the financial year 2019-20 to 2024-25. Furthermore, 20.20 crore plants have been planted under component 8. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, PK Gupta, stated that the target for this financial year (2025-26) is to plant 5 crore trees, with 1 crore already planted. In the financial year 2024-25, the target was 4.67 crore, and 4.14 crore plants were planted, achieving 90% of the goal.