Bihar: The state’s groundwater level continues to decline, prompting the government to launch the Jal Jeevan Hariyali campaign to improve it. The Rural Development Department recently released a report listing districts for their efforts in conserving water sources, with Buxar emerging as the top performer in the state.
According to the report, Buxar district scored 76.61 out of 100 in various aspects of water conservation, securing the first position in Bihar. The efforts include marking public water conservation structures for encroachment removal, restoration of ponds, lakes, embankments, and water bodies, as well as identifying and restoring public wells.
Ranking Report by Rural Development Department:
The statewide ranking report issued by the Rural Development Department indicates that Buxar scored 9.99 out of 10 in the construction of new water structures, 18.29 out of 20 in the restoration of public water structures such as ponds, lakes, and embankments, and 8.39 out of 10 in the identification and restoration of public wells. Additionally, Buxar scored 7.64 out of 10 in the construction of public wells and check dams in river catchment areas, as well as in water collection areas in hilly regions.
Performance of Other Districts:
Several other districts have also shown commendable performance in water conservation. Rohatas, neighboring Buxar, secured the second position in the list, followed by Jehanabad and Nalanda. Only Purnia from North Bihar made it to the top 10 districts. Other districts included in the list are Bhojpur at 11th place and Kaimur at 11th place.
Patna, the capital city, ranked 14th, while Siwan and Supaul secured 37th and 38th positions, respectively. The report also highlighted that districts with new water sources and areas with water scarcity received five out of ten points. Deputy Development Commissioner Dr. Mahendra Pal stated that Buxar has done excellent work in water, life, and greenery, leading the district to the top position once again.