Patna: Identifying public water harvesting structures across the state and freeing them from encroachments will be a priority of the revenue and land reforms department, minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said on Tuesday.Addressing a Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Diwas programme organised by the department, Jaiswal said ponds, pools, ahars and pains were vital public assets that played an important role in environmental conservation, groundwater recharge and meeting the needs of local communities.The workshop focused on identifying public water harvesting structures through revenue records and taking effective and time-bound action to remove encroachments from them. Jaiswal said encroachment on water sources and other public water structures was a serious matter and the department would act on such cases on a priority basis.He sought suggestions from officials and representatives of the 15 departments associated with the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali initiative to further strengthen the campaign. He said a forward-looking approach was required to ensure better conservation of water resources and greenery.Referring to former chief minister Nitish Kumar, Jaiswal said the campaign had been translated into action on the ground because of his vision, with positive results visible in the removal of encroachments from green belts and water bodies.Revenue and land reforms department secretary Jai Singh said a dedicated cell would be established to monitor efforts to identify and protect public water bodies and ensure their freedom from encroachment. He described water bodies as not merely natural resources but a heritage that had to be preserved for future generations.Meanwhile, Jaiswal has also initiated disciplinary action against 13 officials of the department for alleged negligence and irregularities in official duties. Their cases have been referred to the General Administration Department for further action.
