Minister: Bihar first state with climate awareness policy

Patna: Rural development and information & public relations minister Shravan Kumar on Sunday said Bihar was the first state in India to implement dedicated climate change awareness policies. Speaking at a seminar in Patna, he credited former CM Nitish Kumar with launching the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali campaign, claiming it has expanded green cover from 9% to nearly 16% through the plantation of around 200 million saplings.Addressing a social reform seminar organised by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind at the A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Shravan encouraged citizens to plant trees on family milestones such as birthdays and death anniversaries.He highlighted the organisation’s role in promoting social harmony and education, linking it with social reform initiatives of Nitish, particularly the liquor prohibition policy, which he said has strengthened family stability among low-income groups. He also referred to efforts to curb child marriage and dowry practices.The seminar was attended by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind New Delhi secretary Maulana Syed Azhar Madni, Bihar legislative council member Khalid Anwar and others.