Patna: As many as 27,036 public ponds and water bodies have been rejuvenated in the state since 2019 under the ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission’, with rural development department accounting for 25,130 of the works. Minor water resources department has restored 1,568 water bodies, while urban development and housing department and panchayati raj department have restored 280 and 18, respectively, said a press release issued by rural development department (RDD) on Sunday.The state had set a target of rejuvenating 662 ponds and water bodies in 2026-27, against which 628 works have been completed so far. The remaining work is in progress, the release said.In the current financial year, rural development department started 669 works against a target of 541, completing 581. Minor water resources department completed 20 out of 21 works, while UDHD completed 27 of its targeted 33 works, it added.The ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission’, launched in 2019, covers restoration and construction of ponds, ‘ahars’, ‘pynes’ and wells, besides removal of encroachments from public water sources and plantation around them. Officials said the work has helped improve groundwater levels, irrigation facilities and the rural economy.Rural development minister Shravan Kumar in the release said, “The rapid increase in Bihar’s green cover is a result of the far-sighted vision of former chief minister Nitish Kumar. Bihar is setting an example before the country in water and environmental conservation. Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali is not merely a scheme but a lifeline for securing the future of coming generations.”
