Harit Jeevika, Harit Bihar: How 'Jeevika Didis' Are Playing a Pivotal Role in Environmental Conservation in Bihar?
Harit Jeevika, Harit Bihar: The 'Jeevika Didis'—women who have been continuously raising social awareness—are now playing a pivotal role in the realm of environmental conservation as well.
These Didis are spearheading the "Harit Jeevika, Harit Bihar" (Green Livelihood, Green Bihar) program, under which more than 4 crore saplings have been planted across the state over the last six years, courtesy of 1 crore participating Didis.
Officials from the Department of Rural Development state that the active Jeevika Didis of Bihar have become an integral part of a significant campaign aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
Expanding green cover, fostering sustainable livelihoods
The Jeevika Didis have taken substantial strides toward expanding green cover and fostering sustainable livelihoods for rural households. Under this initiative, 987 nurseries have been established across the state by these Didis between 2019 and the 2024-25 fiscal year. This figure includes 677 nurseries managed directly by the Didis themselves.
Didi Nursery model
According to departmental officials, more than 1.04 crore of the saplings planted through the Jeevika initiative have already grown to a height exceeding four feet. The "Didi Nursery" model has emerged as a unique entrepreneurial venture, rapidly accelerating tree-planting efforts at a low cost. Furthermore, it has created a stable and sustainable source of income for the women managing these nurseries. The nurseries operated by the Jeevika Didis function as community-based enterprises, thereby paving a new path for both environmental conservation and rural economic development.
The selection of Didis for managing these nurseries is facilitated through Cluster-Level Federations. Preference is given to those Didis who are active members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), who strictly adhere to the group's regulations, and who possess a strong credit history regarding loan repayment.
Didis receive specialized training
These Didis receive specialized training from the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change on how to cultivate timber species—trees grown specifically for their commercial wood value. Additionally, a 15-day residential training program on the conservation and care of fruit-bearing trees is being provided at the Centre of Excellence in Desari (Vaishali), under the aegis of the Directorate of Horticulture (Department of Agriculture).