The Bihar government, under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is making significant strides in groundwater conservation efforts. The state’s focus on water management is visible through the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali campaign, where the Panchayati Raj Department has spearheaded the renovation of wells and the construction of soak pits. This initiative is not only a step towards environmental preservation but also builds a sustainable approach to manage water resources for future needs.
The initiative saw the targeted renovation of 25,466 wells across the state, with 25,254 wells already renovated. This achievement marks an exceptional success rate, exceeding 99 percent. The restored wells have significantly improved water availability for irrigation in rural areas. Furthermore, the government has shown considerable progress in constructing soak pits. Out of the targeted 19,542 soak pits, 18,895 have been constructed. Nalanda district has led the way, successfully completing the construction of all 1,939 planned soak pits.
Multiple districts, including Arwal, Aurangabad, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, and Madhepura, have surpassed their targets, highlighting the active participation of the public in water conservation efforts. The Panchayati Raj Department officials report a growing awareness among villagers about water conservation. The government aims to implement strong water conservation systems in every panchayat to ensure sustainable water management and to mitigate any potential water crisis.
The district-wise breakdown of soak pit construction includes: Araria-54, Arwal-335, Aurangabad-626, Banka-637, Begusarai-723, Bhagalpur-976, Bhojpur-640, Buxar-535, Darbhanga-513, Gaya-270, Gopalganj-800, Jamui-724, Jehanabad-606, Kaimur-401, Katihar-112, Khagaria-133, Kishanganj-41, Lakhisarai-188, Madhepura-127, Madhubani-95, Munger-811, Muzaffarpur-390, Nalanda-1939, Nawada-731, West Champaran-638, Patna-586, East Champaran-1707, Purnia-107, Rohtas-274, Saharsa-235, Samastipur-997, Saran-69, Sheikhpura-247, Sheohar-174, Sitamarhi-489, Siwan-631, Supaul-52, Vaishali-282.