Patna: State minister of information and public relations department (IPRD), Maheshwar Hajari, on Tuesday said the Jal Jeevan Hariyali (JJH) programme, launched in the state by CM Nitish Kumar, aims to tackle the challenges and issues stemming from environmental degradation and climate change, which pose a significant threat to human well-being on a global scale.
"The JJH programme provides long-term solutions to the emerging environmental problems in the state. In a way, the CM's vision enshrined in the JJH campaign is a part of the national and international endeavour that is aimed at making mankind secure by shaping the present and the future. He has taken appropriate steps for environmental protection through JJH, which has earned him acclaim globally," Hajari said.
Giving the keynote address at a function organised by IPRD to celebrate JJH Day here, Hajari explained the various components of the JJH campaign, like freeing traditional sources of water conservation (ponds, aahar, paaens) from encroachment and their renovation. Besides, reviving small rivers, rivulets, drains and construction of check-dams in hilly areas for water storage, promoting opening of nurseries and intensive plantation drive, promotion of solar energy, rooftop water harvesting and plantation along ponds. "The IPRD is engaged in raising awareness among people regarding the utility of JJH and is also coordinating in conducting activities by roping in the departments concerned," he said.
IPRD director Vaibhav Sriastava, additional secretary Sanjay Krishna and joint director Ravi Bhushan Sahay, along with other IPRD officials and the designated nodal officers of JJH, participated in the function.
Speaking on the occasion, IPRD director Srivastava said that the outcome of the activities taken up under the JJH campaign by the various departments have become visible, as the ground water resources have started showing signs of revival, the green coverage of the state has expanded, and the campaign has also become popular in the state. Besides, on the occasion, the JJH Mission director Pratibha Rani said that the money required for implementing the campaign has also been made available.
On the occasion, a technical session was also organised in which the nodal officers of the departments concerned presented their achievements. While IPRD deputy secretary Shivshankar Lal Srivastava presented the subject, OSD Kumaril Satyanandan gave the vote of thanks.