Abstract:
The state of Bihar, especially the Mithila area in north Bihar, witnessed an unprecedented water crisis in the year — 2019. What to tell of the town areas, even the rural areas had to be served with water tankers for about three to four months in the summer season. Children playing cricket in parched ponds, that boasted of pucca ghats raised over them under Govt. schemes, became a common scene. Rivers like Kamla and Jiwachh got dried and at several places not a drop of water was to be witnessed therein.
People today are not at all ashamed with getting the ponds filled up that were excavated by their forefathers with a pious aim to attain eternal bliss. Fish — cum- Makhana cultivation and availability of green fodder for pet animals suffered a major casualty. Water crisis affected the aquatic biodiversity. Govt. as well as voluntary agencies took up ways to ameliorate the situation. Massive plantation drives have been launched. Dead and encroached water bodied are being relocated.
The State Govt. has launched the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali campaign for associating people with the drive. Under this scheme soak-pits and rainwater harvesting structures are being raised. 2019 water crisis has made people aware of the need of revitalizing the traditional wells. Different types of employment schemes are being linked with the water harvesting mission.
The paper provides an analysis of the unprecedented 2019 water crisis in Mithila area of northern Bihar and discusses the possible steps to ameliorate the situation.
