State of Environment
Report, Bihar

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna&
Department of Environment & Forest
Govt. of BiharCONTENTS
PAGE NO.

1.

INTRODUCTION :01

2.

BIHAR : AN OVERVIEW

06

3.

ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL STUDIES (EAS)

10

3.1

Environmental Parameters (S = State)

10

3.2

Environmental Resources (P = Pressure)

65

3.3

Activities (D = Driving Force) :93

4.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) (I = IMPACT)5.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (R = RESPONSE)

124

5.1

Disaster

129

5.2.

Land Degradation

132

5.3.

Bio-diversity Loss

135

5.4.

Water Imbalance

137

5.5.

Urbanisation

138

5.6

Mining139

5.7.

Awareness

139

6.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

141

7.

REFERENCES

143

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

List of Plates :Plate No. 1-

Physical Divisions

Plate No. 2-

Map Showing the Districts of Bihar

Plate No. 3-

Geological Map of Bihar

Plate No. 4-

Quaternary Geological Map of the Lower Ganga Basin, Bihar

Plate No. 5 (A)

-

Soil

Plate No. 5 (B)-Map of Bihar Showing Soil Association

Plate No. 6-

Map of Bihar Showing the Drainage Pattern and River Basin
Boundary

Plate No. 7 (A)-Hydrogeology

Plate No. 7 (B)-Hydrogeology (Legend)

Plate No. 8-

Map of Bihar Showing the Land Use Pattern

Plate No. 9-

ClimatePlate No. 10-

Canal Command and Water Logged Areas

Plate No. 11-

Irrigation

Plate No. 12-

Map of Bihar Showing Stress Asspect in Groundwater Utilisation.

Plate No. 13-

Map Showing Earthquake Zones in Bihar

Plate No. 14-

Map Showing Multi Hazard Zones in Bihar

Plate No. 15-

Demarcated Flood Zones in Bihar

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

INTRODUCTION
1.1

BackgroundIn pursuance of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India decision

to introduce a scheme during the 10 th five year plan for assisting the State Governments tobring about the ‘State of Environment (SoE) Report for representative states on triennial
basis, the state of Bihar has also to prepare the said report, which will provide an overview
of the prevailing bio-physical and socio economic conditions of the state.
For successfully brining out this report, Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India has designated Development Alternatives, New Delhi as National Host
Institute for the State of Bihar. Department of Environment and Forest, Government of Bihar
has been designated as ‘State Nodal Agency’ whereas, Bihar State Pollution Control Board
has been designated as ‘State Host Institute’ for the purpose. A series of meetings for the
purpose were organized represented by different Government Organizations, Stake Holders
and NGOs. In the deliberations several environmental issues were unanimously conceived,
which were finally categorized into 6 classes to be addressed and evaluated under the
existing conditions. The 6 categories, so classified are:(i)

Disaster(ii)

Land Degradation(iii)

Bio-Diversity(iv)

Water Imbalance(v)

Industrialization, and(vi)

Awareness.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board as the ‘State Host Institute’ (SHI) solicited
Geological Survey of India for the preparation of geo-environmental data.
1.2

Objective of the Scheme
The objectives of the scheme, as envisaged by the Government of India, behindpreparing the State of Environment Report are:•

To provide the public, government, non-government organizations and decision
makers with accurate, timely and accessible information on the state of current
environment and future outlook for a region’s environment;
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 13 ]

•To report on the effectiveness of the policies and programmes that have been
designed to respond to environmental changes, including progress towards achieving
environmental standards and targets;•To create a mechanism for the integration of environmental, social and economic
information with the goal of providing a clear picture of the condition of the states;•

To provide early warning of the potential problems as well as allowing for the evaluationof possible scenario for the future;•

To assess the nation’s progress towards achieving ecological sustainability;•

To identify gaps in the state of nation’s knowledge of environmental conditions andtrends and recommend strategies for research and monitoring to fill these gaps; and•To help making judgment regarding the broad environmental consequences of social,economic and environmental policies and plans.

1.3. METHODOLOGY :The methodology adopted in SoE reporting process envisages two parallel flow routeof the reporting system coming together at critical junctures. One branch of the system
focuses on perception based participatory approach and the other system adopts a data
based approach (Fig. 1). Thus the system conjugates both participatory and analytical angle
to ensure scientific robustness coupled with awareness and ownership building among
stakeholders.
The SoE reporting is carried out in three compartments :(i)Environmental Appraisal Studies (EAS)
EAS describes the status and cause effect relationship of the given
environmental issues.

(ii)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and
EIA forecasts and assess the impact on environment.

(iii)

Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
EMP describes the response strategies and mitigation measures forprotection of environment.

[ 14 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

SYSTEM DESIGN(Data Based)(Perception Based)

Environmental
Appraisal Studies

Issue Identification &Prioritization

(I)

(S)

Environmental Impact
Assessment

Data Collection
and Collation

State of Parameters :(i) Geoenironmental(ii) Non-Geoenvironmental(iii) Biotic

Action Limit(P)

Response Identification
Environmental Resources(i) Brown agenda(ii) Green agenda(iii) Blue agenda
Synthesis & Consultation- Gaps- Possible Response

(D)

(R)

Environmental
Management Plan

Activities(i) Geogenic(ii) Anthropogenic

Field vailidation &Data Gap Filling

Verification with
Experts
Field vailidation &Data Gap Filling

Report Finalisation

Fig.1
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 15 ]

Under EAS the database on the state(s) of six nos. of geoenvironmental parameters,
three nos. of non-geoenvironmental parameters and two nos. of biotic parameters are
addressed (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2This database forms the S-part of DPSIR (Driving force-Pressure-State-ImpactResponse) framework of evaluation. It is followed by the documentation of Environmental
Resources and pressure generated over them i.e., P-part of DPSIR. Further, the activities
categorised under Geogenic and Anthropogenic are elaborated with the aim to establish
the causative linkage as Driving Force i.e., D-Part of the DPSIR framework. The interaction
between the defined activities and ambient environmental parameters within the backdropof social and economic aspect are summarised under the schedule of Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA). This exercise generates the database for I-Part of DPSIR framework.
Finally, the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) entails the information about themeasures to be adopted by the different stakeholders to improve the situation i.e., R-partof the DPSIR frame work.
1.4. SCOPE :The scope of the State of Environment (SoE) document is to provide an accurate
assessment of (1) the State of Environment and (2) the consequences of policies on theenvironment, which is supposed to be critical for effective further decision-making. In order[ 16 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Boardto fulfill this need, it has been decided to bring out such document on triennial basis for theState of Bihar. The preparation of database, their synthesis and consultation withstakeholders leading to assessment of policies and emerging issues would be integrated
for their ground applicability within the frame work of sustainable development decisionmaking cycle.
Further, the ground evaluation of the environmental trends and conditions of thecommunity will have to be assessed the relative importance of different environmental issues
and set priorities.
1.5

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT :The Present publication is the outcome of the joint effort by Bihar State Pollution

Control Board (BSPCB), Patna with the Geological survey of India, Ministry of Mines, Go I
for the preparation of “State of Environment (SoE) Report” for Bihar. The database for thisreport comprises of geoenvironmental, non-geoenvironmental and biotic parameters. The
geoenvironmental database is based on published reports of GSI and C.G.W.B. the nongeoenvironmental database was provided by Bihar state Pollution control Board, Indian
Meteorology Dept. central water commission, GOI Water Resources department. GOB,
Directorate of Industries; GoB, P.H.E.D, GoB, state Transport Dept., GoB, Directorate ofsoil conservation; GoB, Bihar state Electricity Board, Patna, Department of mines andgeology, GoB and various other central and state govt. depts. While preparation of thisreport the valuable suggestions made and the supporting database as provided by them
are thankfully acknowledged.
Further, the participating representatives from the water Resources Dept.; GoB,
Health Dept; GoB. Directorate of Survey; GoB, Directorate of Agriculture, GoB, Dept. of
Revenue and Land Reforms, GoB, S.F. Env. S & P.E. Directorate, Urban Development
Dept; GoB deserve special thanks for taking keen interest by way of attending meeting on
18-3-2006 and discussing the subject matter, at length, of this report. The support given by
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and Development Alternatives,
the National Host Institute is also duly acknowledged.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 17 ]

BIHAR : OVERVIEW

Bihar is located in the eastern part of the country.
It is an entirely land locked state, although the outlet to
the Sea through the port of Kolkata is not far away.
Bihar lies midway between the humid West Bengal, inthe east and the sub humid Uttar Pradesh, in the west
which provides it with a transitional position in respectof climate and economic activities. It is bounded by
Nepal in the north, Jharkhand in the South. The Bihar
plain is divided into two unequal halves by the river
Ganga which flows through the middle from west to
east. The physical divisions based on bio-physical andhistorical antecedence are depicted in Plate No. 1.
The state of Bihar has always been in the centrestageof the country’s economic, cultural, historical andpolitical activities. It has acquired a new identity on
15th November 2000 after thecreation

of

the

State

of

Jharkhand out of it. It occupies a
total geographical area of 94,163
sq. km and is extended for 483
km from east to west and 345
km from north to south. The
physical feautures of the Stateand its administrative units arepresented in table 1.
[ 18 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

The map showing the location of various districts of Bihar is depicted in Plate No. 2
POPULATION DYNAMICS :The State of Bihar, with an area of 94,163 sq. km approximately, has a population of
8,28,78,796. Till 1991 census, the composite state of Bihar was the Second most populous
state in the country, next only to Uttar Pradesh. However, after bifurcation of the state ofBihar and creation of the new state of Jharkhand, the position of Bihar among the states ofIndia in respect of population has slipped down to third. Decaled growth of population,
demographic indicators and related facts are presented from Table 2 to 4.
TABLE NO. 1
Physical Features
Latitude-24°-20'-30" & 27°-31'-15"NLongitude-

83°-19'-50" & 88°-17'-40"E

Rural Area-

92,257.51 sq. km

Urban Area-

1,095.49 sq. km

Total Area-

94,163.00 sq. km

Height above sea level-

52.73 mNormal Rainfall-

1,205 mmAvg. No. of Rainy days-

52.5 days in a year.

Administrative Units
Divisions-9Districts-

38

Sub-divisions-

101

CD blocks-

534

Panchayats

-

8,471

Number of Revenue Villages-

45,103

Number of urban agglomerations-

9

Number of Towns-

130

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 19 ]TABLE - 2 : GROWTH OF POPULATION IN BIHAR/INDIA
Population

Decadal variation

Decadal variation

in % (Bihar)

in % (India)

1901

27,311,865

1911

28,314,281+ 3.67+ 5.75

1921

28,126,675– 0.66– 0.31

1931

31,347m108+ 11.45+ 11.00

1941

35,170,840+ 12.20+14.22

1951

38,782,721+ 10.27+ 13.311961

46,447,457+ 19.76+ 21.51

1971

56,353,369+ 21.33+ 24.80

1981

69,914,734+ 24.06+ 24.06

1991

89,374,465+ 23.54+ 23.85

2001

8,28,78,796 (Bihar)+ 28.43+21.34

TABLE - 3 : SOCIO - DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS OF
THE NEW “BIHAR” STATE
Indicators

Bihar

India

'91

'01

'91

01

23.36

28.43

23.86

21.34

Sex ratio

907

921

927

933

Population Density

685

880

267

324

Percentage decadal
growth rate

(Population per sq. km)
Population '01

82,878,796

1,027,015,247

Literacy rate (%)(+7 years Population)
Male

60.32

75.82

Female

33.57

54.16

47.53

65.38

Total
[ 20 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

% of SC Population
to the total population

15.5

16.20

% of ST Population
to the total Population

0.8

8.10

% of cultivators/total
main workers

41.0

34.10

% of Agricultural labour

43.1

37.46

total main workers
Per Capita income (Rs)

2197

Area (sq. km)

94,16332,87,263

TABLE - 4
According to the census 2001, the state of Bihar has following facts on Population.
Population (2001 Census)
Males
Females
Sex ratio (females/1000 males)
Density of Population (persons/sq. km)
Urban Population %Literacy rate (census 2001) in %Male literacy in %Male literacy in numbers
Female literacy in %Female literacy in Numbers
Birth rate (per 1000) (2002) P
Death rate (per 1000)
NSDP at current prices Rs. in cr (2002-'03)
Per Capita NSDP in Rs. (2002-'03)

82998409
43243795
39754614
921
880
10.47
47
59.7
20644376
33.1
10465201
30.9
7.9
51345
6015

INDEX
(2002) P(2002-03)(2001-02)(2000-01)
NSDP

:
:
:
:
:

Provisional
Advanced estimates
Quick Estimates
Provisional Estimate
Net State Domestic Product

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 21 ]ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL STUDIES (EAS)

Environmental Appraisal Studies (EAS) have been carried out to decipher anddocument the overall environmental scenario of the State of Bihar. The overall environmental
scenario is mainly controlled by three factors (i) Environmental resources (ii) Environmental
constraints and (iii) Level of degradation (anthropogenic / geogenic). Depending on therelative predominance of these factors, the inherent strength or fragility of the environmentis determined. This characterisation is important as it leads to the calculation of ”Bearing
Capacity” of an environment, which in turn, dictates the level of developmental activities
which can be taken up with minimum damage to the environment.
In general, EAS covers 11 Standard Environmental Parameters. These are shown in
Fig. 2.
3.1

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS :3.1.1.1. Geology :Geologically, it represents the extreme northern front of Indian sub-continent. These include(i) the belt of Himalayan foothills in the northern fringe of Paschim Champaran (ii) the vast
Ganga Plains, (iii) the Vindhyan (Kaimur) Plateau extending into Rohtas region, (iv) the
sporadic and small Gondwana basin outliers in Banka district, (v) the Satpura Range
extending into large part of the area North of Chotanagpur Plateau, (vi) the parts of Bihar
Mica belt in Nawada, Jamui and Banka districts and (vii) the Granite Gneissic complex of
Chotanagpur plateau. Nearly two third of Bihar is under cover of Ganga basin composed ofalluvium and masks the nature of basement rocks. The geological map of Bihar is presented
at Plate 3.

[ 22 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

Table - 5 : Showing the Geological Succession and their

Increasing antiquity

geographic distribution
Age

Geology

Geography

Quaternary

Alluvial deposits

North Bihar Plain(Sand, Clay, Silt,& Central Bihar Plain

Text Index
2

fragments)
Tertiary

Sandstones andNorth Champaran Hills

1

Banka district

4

Text Index

Clay Stones
Gondwana

Coal Measures,
Forming a series of

Increasing antiquity

small outlier basins

Age

Geology

Geography

Vindhyans

Sandstones, Shales,

Parts of Bhabhua

Limestones etc.

and Rohtas dist.

Schist, Phyllite,

Part of Aurangabad,

Quartzite

Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda,

Satpura3

5

Sheikhpura and
Munger Dist.
Proterozoic

Mica Schist, amphi-

Nawada, Jamui

bolite, quartzite,& Bankagranite, dolerite andpegmatite
ArchaeanGneisses, Granites,

Parts of Aurangabad,

Schists, Phyllites,

Gaya, Nawada, Jamui,

Quartzites, amphibolites

Banka and Bhagalpur& intrusives all
metamorphosed
sedimentary andigneous rocks
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 23 ]

1.

The Tertiaries are exposed in Masan area of North Champaran District, as a seriesof low hillocks. They represent Upper Siwaliks of the Sub-Himalayas and consist ofsandstone and claystone, disturbed by folding and thrust faulting. The entire sequence
here occurs as an inlier in the alluvial terrain.

2.

The Quaternary of North Bihar Plains, between the tortuous course of Ganga and
Himalayan foothills, are represented by Older Alluvium Group (OAG) (Bhangar) and
Newer Alluvium Group (NAG) (Khader). The OAG is represented by Mirganj
Formation, Khajauli Formation and Madhubani Formation in Gandak basin, GandakKosi interfluve and Kosi basin, respectively. The NAG includes the Vaishali Formation,
the Jainagar Formation and Purnea Formation in Gandak basin, Gandak-Kosiinterfluve and Ganga-Kosi-Mahananda interfluve. In the whole region the uppermost
formation is the Present Flood Plains, Diara formation, Channel Bars and Sand
Dunnes.
In central Bihar Plains the OAG forming the highest terrace, in the Son-Ganga alluvial
tract, and NAG forming younger terraces, as Older Flood Plains, are exposed allalong the Alluvial Upland. The Present Flood Plain deposits are confined with thechannels.

3.

The Vindhyans, in Bihar, are exposed in Rohtas and Bhabhua districts as scarps
and plateau. They comprises gritty to fine cemented sandstones, shales, flagstones,
quartzites, sandy siltstones, limestone breccias and porcellanites, the shales often
being pyritiferous.

4.

The Gondwana rocks occur as sporadic outlier basins, in the parts of Banka district.
The main rock types are sandstones, fine to coarse or gritty sandstone, ironstone,
shales, Carbonaceous shales, coal seams and boulder beds. They are largely
cemented, jointed, fractured, faulted and intruded by dykes and sills.

[ 24 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

5.

Along the northern fringe of the Chotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex are low-grade
supracrustals covering the Kharagpur hills, Rajgir hills and Gaya hills referred to as
the Satpura Range, comprises schists, ferruginous phyllite, quartzite and phyllitic
shales.

6.

The Bihar Mica belt comprises a sequence of folded hornblende schists, amphibolite,
mica-schist, quartzite and calc-silicates intruded by circular to oval shaped granitic
plutons, dolerites, pegmatites and quartz veins. There are may old mines of mica inthis belt.

7.

The Archaeans are the oldest rock formation in the state. The most predominant rocktype is mainly of gneisses and granitic rocks with lesser amount of schists, quartzites,
basic intrusives and pegmatoides. They are exposed in Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada,
Jamui, Bhagalpur and Banka districts.
For the purpose of Geoenvironmental Appraisal Studies the rock types arecharacterised in terms of following elements :–(a)

Fragility :
7

3

5

4

6

1

2

Increasing fragility(b)Proneness to Mass - movement :
3

5

7

4

6

1

2

Increasing Proneness to mass movement(c)Engineering Suitability :(i)Foundation material :(ii)

Construction Material :Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 25 ](d)Quarriability / excavation
5

3

7

4

2

6

1

Decreasing quarriability(e)Subsidence on underground activities :
1

2

4

6

7

3

5

Decreasing proneness to subsidence(f)Hydraulic Conductivity :
1

2

4

6

5

7

3

Decreasing Conductivity(g)Presence of Neo-tectonic activities and response to seismic distur
bance.
5

1

2

4

6

7

3

Decreasing Neo-tectonism and seismicity(h)Aquifer hosting suitability :
7

2

6

4

3

5

1

Decreasing aquifer hosting suitability(i)Potential for residual soil :

6

7

1

4

3

5

Decreasing potential for generating in-situ soil(j)Potential to (i) transmit liquid pollutants / leachates and (ii) adsorb
pollutants.
1

2

4

5

6

7

3

Decreasing order of transmitting liquid pollutants(k)[ 26 ]Naturally occurring or pollution induced toxic elements :Bihar State Pollution Control Board(l)3.1.1.2.

Presence of economic mineral deposit :GEOMORPHOLOGY :Based on broad geomorphic parameters such as relief, drainage pattern and geology
Bihar may be divided into three geomorphic domains.
(i)Uplifted block of hilly southern highlands comprising the northern part of theKodarma- Santhal Pargana planation surface, falling in parts of Bihar, northernfringe or escarpment of Chotanagpur plateau and Rohtas plateau(ii) The transition zone between the southern highlands and the Great Ganga Plains,constituting the central Bihar Plains, and(iii) The Ganga foredeep of the North Bihar Plains bounded by the rising Himalaya in
the north and the Ganga R. in the South.
The geomorphic units (ii) and (iii) constitutes the part of Middle Ganga basin. The
Southern hills demarcates the Mid-Ganga basin along the 150 m contour.
Rohtas Plateau : This plateau rises sharply above Sone river to an height of over
500 m above msl. This plateau slopes down to the north and manifests steep faulted
escarpment to the south.
Koderma Santhal Pargana Plateau : This plateau has a gentler easterly slope into
the Santhal Pargana plains, which has elevation in the range of 150-300 m above msl
except for isolated hills.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 27 ]

Indo-Gangetic Plains : The Ganga foredeep basin as a whole and the river systems
e.g. Gandak-Son, Ganga-Gandak & Kosi in particular have been studied in an effort toevaluate the alluvial geology and cause of natural disaster and other hazards. The various
morpho-litho-stratigraphy of Alluvial Sediments of Ganga plains are shown in Table 8 to 8.
TABLE - 6
Correlation of morpho-litho-stratigraphy of Quaternary
sediments of Bihar Plain South
Morphostratigraphy
Present Flood Plain :Lithostratigraphy

Geological Time

Alternation of sand, silt and clay

Present day to late

Landforms : Channel

holocenebars: Riffles (Diaraland)
Erosion and Valley trenching

Erosional Unconformity

Older Flood Plain :Ganga Formation :Landforms: Levee, Levee(b) Silt, clay and sand along E.W

Late Holocene

splays, Backswamp, Buried

Elongation by the side ofchannel, aggraded channel

Ganga River.

and abandoned channel;

Magadh Formation :and colluvial deposits over(a) Silt, clay and sand : transgressing

pediment

Holoceneover the Alluvial Upland andspreading along the valley sidesof Durgawati. Son, Punpun,
Morhar, Phalgu, Harohar, Kiul,
Badua and chandandrainage systems

Erosion and valley trenching

Erosional unconformity
Upper older Alluvium Formation : K(iv) (b) pedalfer soil paleosolHyellowish gray silt (2 to 8m)

A

Local erosion

D(a) Aeolian sandy silt/

A

Pedalfer soil (0.5 to 1.5 m)

R

Local erosion[ 28 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

Early HoloceneAlluvial Upland : Occurring(iii) Pedocal soil Palaeosol

as terraces and colluvium
deposit over pediment

Yellow silt & clay (10 to 40 m)brown sand (10 to 20 m)
Erosional Unconformity
Lower Older Alluvium Formation :(ii) Pedalfer soil Paleosol
Byellow reddish brown siltHand clay (15 to 35 m)
A
Brown sand with gravelN(35 to 50 m)
G
Local erosionA(i) Yellow to reddish brown
R
Silt and clay (5 to 18 m)
Pebble and boulder bearing
gritty-sandy bed (local)(local) (5 to 15 m)
Residual Soild

Pediplain

Upper Pleistocene

Pre-Quatenary& Quaternary

TABLE - 7
Correlation of Morpho-lithostratigraphyof Gandak-Kosi interfluve.
Lithostratigraphy

Morphostratigraphy

Lithology

Present Flood Plain :Gandak/Burhi Gandak/Kosi
recent alluvium (channel bars
Grey micaceous sandand point bars)
Newer Alluvium :Older Flood Plain :KHADAR
Gandak / Burhi Gandak /(b) Interbedded grey to(Up. pleistocene to
Kosi-Terrace : Upper Vaishali
yellowish grey silt-clay,
recent)member (b)rich in shells, unoxidised
Upper Jainagar Member
soid at places. bog soil at(a) (levee, flood basins)bottomDisconformity
Older Alluvium :Gandak basin : Lower / Vaishali(a) Dissected, irregular
BHANGARmember (b) (exposed at Hazipur) outcrop of unxidised to(Mid. - Up. Pleistocene) Kosi basin : Lower Jainagar
feebly oxidised grey toMember (a) (exposed at Khajauli) pale yellowish grey silty
clay. Soft ferruginous
concretions and rare
Kankars (Kosi) and pedocal

Thickness (m)5.0 to 8.0

0.50 to 4.0

2.0 m to 4.0

Palaeosol (Gandak.)
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 29 ]

Unconformity
Madhubani Formation (Kosi)

Patchy and irregular occur-

Mirganj Formation (Gandak)rence of deep yellow to> 200

brownish yellow clay withpedocal palacosol lower
part arenaceous

TABLE - 8
Correlation of morpho-litho-stratigraphyof Kosi-Mahananda interfluve.
Morphostratigraphy

Lithology

Lithostratigraphy

Age
Diara Plain Landforms : Overlapping atternation of grey fine sand
Channel bars, point bars;

Diara Formation

Present day

with occasional silt or clay. No mature soil.

Sand dunes. Sand splays.
Ganga-Kosi-Mahananda Alternate sequence of light yellow fineGanga-Kosi-

plain : Erosional surface

sand and silt with occasional silty clay/

Mahananda Formation

Holoceneon purnea surface.

clay. Mainly clay and silty clay in the

Purnea formation

Holocenedomain of the Ganga. Thin azonal
unoxidised soil. The erosional plain on
Purnea surface consists of hard clay andsilt of Purnea formation.
Purnea Surface(a) Flood plain facies : In the north easternpart of the Kosi Fan and in the Ganga-Kosiinterfluve flood plain equivalent is represented by alternation of yellow compact silt andyellowish grey clay with shells of gastropod
in Kosi-Ganga interfluve and iron coatedrock fragment in the outer margin of Kosi fan.
(b) Fan facies : Within the Kosi fan thisconstitute mainly light brownish yellow sandof various size grades : sand size increasing
towards depth with occurrence of pebbles.

[ 30 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control BoardIn absence of any data on absolute age of lithostrata, it has always remained ahandicap to correlate the formations occurring on either side of Ganga river. On the basisof the occupation level in basin, Sediment characteristic, degree of oxidation and palaeosol
nature the various formations are grouped in the category of Older Alluvium (Bhangar) of
Middle to upper Pleistocene age and Newer Alluvium (Khadar) of Upper Pleistocene to
Recent age (Pascoe, 1964). Apart from the presence or absence of calcareous nodules
within the Bhangar and Khadar soil profile respectively, the neotectonic framework has
also helped in the construction of chrono-stratigraphy. It is worthwhile to mention here that
NE-SW lineament recorded in Son basin continues in the Western Kosi basin and again
NW-SE lineament of Kiul-Kharagpur hill re-emerges in the Gandak-Burhi Gandak Basins.
These two lineaments are the connecting links between north and south morphotectonic
set-up. This signature has been further modified by E-W cross faults along Ganga channel
as evident by swelling of channel and their southeast drag under the influence of NW-SE
cross faults, recorded by pinching of channel, occurring in en-echelon manner. Thus thevertical and lateral movement of rivers, and consequent pilling up of alluvium, are due tovarious reasons, e.g., subsidence, over-sedimentation, climate, neotectonics,
hydrodynamics of river basin and advance or retreat of glaciers. The geological andgeographical distribution of various formations are shown in Plate No. 4
Central Bihar Plains : Three land systems have been identified e.g.
(i)

The Alluvial upland (ii) the Older Flood Plain and (iii) the Present Flood Plains– the domain of deposition during the Quaternary period.
The Alluvial upland constitute the Oldest and highest terrace, traceable from Kaimur
Plateau north margin to Bhagalpur and dissected by the northerly flowing parallel drainage
systems. The Older Flood Plain constitutes the intermediate terrace and comprises of twoland systems (1) a narrow linear east-west arrangement of levee and backswamps (Tal),and palaeodrainage imprints in the area from Patna to Sahibganj, parallel to the course of
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 31 ]

Ganga and (2) interfluvial land form morphology evolved in response to Durgawati, Son,
Punpun, Morhar and Kiul river systems impressed upon the eroded basement of Older
Alluvium, in segments. The Present Flood Plain Constitutes the present oscillatory limit of
the Ganga and within channel deposits of northerly flowing channels.
It covers an area of 42,000 sq. km. of flat alluvial plain with a number of isolated hillse.g., Rajgir hills of Nalanda, Kharagpur hills of Munger and Barabar Hills of Gaya. This
plain is divided into three interfluvial domains.
(i)

Ganga-Son interfluve of Rohtas-Bhojpur & Arwal-Jehanabad-Patna
Plains.

(ii)

Son-Kiul interfluve of the middle block of Magadh Plains, and(iii)

Chandan-Badua interfluve of the eastern block of the Kiul -Rajmahal
Ganga Plains.

The gradient of the central Bihar plains sloping down from the Chotanagpur Plateau
to the Ganga are steeper than the Himalayan foothills down to the Ganga in the North.
North Bihar plains : It extends from the course of Ganga in the south to Himalayan foothills
in the north. The ‘tarai’ belt in the north forms the northern part of the Paschim Champaran
District and is about 32 km long and 6-8 km wide, rising above plains sharply along the
150 contour, are composed of poorly consolidated boulders, pebbles, and gravels. Southof the tarai belt is the North Bihar plains of riverine cones and intercones. Further, the North
Bihar Plains can be divided into (i) Gandak-Kosi interfluve and (ii) Kosi-Mahananda
interfluve. The Gandak-Kosi-Mahananda interfluve manifests numerons oxbow lakes, tals,
abandoned channels and meander scrolls. In the extreme north the tarai (wet land) isfollowed by subtarai belt of marshy land with intervening patchy occurrence of upland, whichis again followed in the south by another marshy low lands, devoid of uplands. Further,
towards the South lies the upland till Ganga levee or flood plain is reached.

[ 32 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

3.1.1.3. PEDOLOGY :The role of soil as natural asset of ecosystem is viewed through three angles (i)supporting agriculture & forest (ii) Supporting engineering installation and (iii) Constituting
the medium to regulate the storage and accumulation of subsurface water.
For agricultural input the top soils of North and central Bihar are continuously underalluviation along flood plains through annual flooding and deposition. Thus the top soil
characteristics perpetually changes and descriptions have to be viewed through temporalchange.
The Govt. of Bihar has carried out the systematic Survey of Soils of Bihar as part oftheir Five year Plan since 1954. More than 3 million hectares have been surveyed in detail,mainly to meet the needs of the irrigational Command Area Development Agencies andthe Advance planning wing of the Irrigation department, Government of Bihar.
Soils of Bihar have been grouped into 24 soil associations - combination of Taxonomy
types. These are summarised in the detail index to the soil association map presented in
Plate No. 5(B). These soils are covered by seven orders, viz affisols, entisols, inceptisols,
ultisols, aridisols, mollisols and histosols [Plate 5(A)]. The detailed surveys are confined tothe command areas of major river system, viz. Son. Gandak and Kosi and the information
presented are skewed in favour of local ground setting.
Soil of Central Bihar
Soil of central Bihar have evolved largely on the alluvium of the Son and the several
smaller river systems, namely the Karmanasa, Punpun, Phalgu, Panchane, Sakri, Harohar,
Badua and Chandan draining the northern slopes of the Chotanagpur Plateau. The soils
are basically an outcome of landform, climate, landuse, topography, time and parent
material, which have been well considered during the pedological investigation. The various
soils of the area are summarized below.
Colluvial Soil : To the immediately north of the Rohtas and Chotanagpur plateau
margin, the colluvial soil occur in a narrow belt with light texture and poor fertility, highslope and undulating topography. They comprises angular gravelliferrous, silty and loamy
clay.
Sedentary Soil : They have been studied in detail in Nawada district and are reddish
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 33 ]

brown to pale yellow in colour and light to medium texture. They are slightly acidic to neutral(pH = 6.1-7.8), low in soluble salts, low to medium in organic carbon (0.02-1.2%), low tohigh in available P 2O 5 (7-86.5 kg/ha) and high in available K 2O (105-440 kg/ha). They
comprise an association of vertisols, entisols, alffisols and ultisols.
Alluvial Soils : These are prominently developed in the mid - plains in parts of
Sasaram and Bhojpur districts west of Son, North of Rajgir hills in parts of Patna, Jehanabad
and Gaya districts and along an east-west belt fringing the Tal belts of Soils in parts ofMunger-Bhagalpur districts, on the Southern bank of Ganga. These are light coloured poorly
fertile soils, that develop cracks on drying. They are mainly an association of vertisols (Soil
Assnl. 11) and rest of the plain is covered by soil association (Soil Assn. 12) [Refer Map
Plate No. 5(B)]. They are mildly acidic to neutral in reactivity but locally mildly alkaline (pH= 6.8-8.4). They are low in free CaCO 3 (0.59-5.30%), poor in soluble salts, low to high inavailable P 2 O 5 (18-65 kg/ha) and available K 2 O (15-744 kg/ha). The soils are often
characterized by ferruginous and calcium carbonate concretions, either throughout the profile
or confined to the lower layers. Along the foothills of Adhaura range the soils are yellowish
red to yellow alfisols (soil Assn. 14). The Tal belt South of Ganga is some 8 to 15 km wide.
The soils are dark coloured and heavy textured and are alkaline (pH-7.0-0.8). The soils
comprise variants of Vertisols (Soil Assn. 10). In the topographic low micro-watershed areas
heavy textured soils comparable to black cotton soils or vertisoils.
Diara Soil : Soils developed along the Ganga river banks are whitish to light grey incolour and alkaline with pH of around 8.0 and moderately fertile (Soil Assn. 8).
Noncalcareous levee soils are found along the banks of the Son, the Phalgu, Kiul, Chandan
and other rivers. They are light in texture and poor in fertility. (Soil Assn. 7).
Soils of North Bihar Plains
The soils largely falls under entisols with several variations brought about due tovagaries of highly mobile fluvial sedimentation. Soils of older landform have developed
ferruginous and calcareous concretions and an pedalfar horizon.
Sedentary Soil : These soils are sandy to loamy in texture and are brown to yellow
and grey in colour. Generally of a meter-scale thickness, the soils support forest and tall
grases and are rich in organic matter. They are developed over the Siwalik sediments ofwest Champaran districts.
[ 34 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

Tarai Soil : Along the border of Nepal and South of the Siwalik Hills are the tarai
soils, occuring over a belt 3 to 8 km. wide. In the western parts these soils are unusually
heavy in texture and have neutral to moderately acidic reactions. Towards the SE lighttextured soils are present due to the influence of the Kosi and Mahananda rivers.
Soils in Megafans and Interfluve
The Kosi megafans supports soils that are light coloured, coarse to medium textured
and notably micaceous. The soils are moderetely acidic to lightly alkaline (pH - 5.8-8.1)
with low free CaCO 3 content and low free P 2O 5 (4.6-24.8 kg/ha), low soluble salts and low
to occasionally high organic carbon. These soils often poses problems of acidity. However,some of the low lying areas, as for example SE of Saharsa, (The Babhangaon-Nawabganj
association) support soils with olive-green colour, sandy-loam texture, high alkalinity (pH 7.7-8.2) with problems of water logging and alkalinity.
The Gandak fluvial regime is generally characterised by light to dark-grey soils in
the uplands and olive-grey to olive-green soils in the low lying areas. They have medium toheavy texture, low permeability, moderate to strong alkaline reactivity (pH - 6.8-8.4, rising
to > 10% in places) and low to high free CaCO 3 (to 15%). Free P 2O 5 Content is variable(14-396 kg/ha), variable organic carbon (0.17-0.81%) and generally high free K 2O (14-396
kg/ha). Potash content in the Paharpur-Harsih area of East Champaran is as high as 1320
kg/ha. CaCO 3 content in these soils is also high (10.1-58-6%). In several areas, as forexample in the Barharia-Panchrukhi-Manjhi area of Siwan and Gopalganj districts, salt
affected soils cover large areas.
Another distinctive belt of soils extend from Motihari, Sitamarhi, Madhubani andDarbhanga and ends upto where it abuts the curvilinear course of the Kosi. This belt istraceable further and abruptly ends against the western limits of the Kosi Megafan. Soils
along this belt are non-calcareous and non-saline. They are characterised by light grey togrey and olive-grey colour, medium to heavy texture, moderate to slow permeability, highalkalinity (pH - 8.2-8.5) and high free CaCo 3 Content (>15%).
3.1.1.4. SURFACE WATER
The hydro-morphometric parameters of the various river basins of North Bihar Plainare summarised in table 9 and also represented at plate no. 6

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 35 ]TABLE - 9
Characteristics of river classes (Sinha & Friend, 1994)
Parameter

MountainFoothill

Plain

Mixed

Order of

Fed (Mt)

Fed

Fed

Fed

Magnitude(Gandak &

(Ft.)

(Pl.)

(MX)

Kosi)

(Bagmati)(Burhi(Kamla-Gandak)Balan)
5

1

2

3

4

6

1. Catchment

Very large

Moderate

Moderate

Small

Mt>Ft>Pl>Mx

2. Total length

Very large

Moderate

Moderate

Small

Mt>Ft>Pl>Mx

3. W/D ratio

High

Low

Low

Low

Mt>Ft>Mx>Pl(u/s)(u/s<d/s)(u/s<d/s)

BraidedBraided (u/s)

Meanderthroughout

Meander (d/s)

5. Sinuosity

Low

Moderate

High

High

Mx>Pl>Ft>Mt

6. Discharge

Peak

Moderate

Very

Very

Mx>Ft>Mx>PlPeak

Moderate

Moderate

Peak

Peak

Area

4. Channel
Pattern

7. Sediment

Braided (u/s)
Meander (d/s)

Very highLow

Very Low

Very Low

Early rise

Monsoonal

Monsoonal

Monsoonal(u/s<d/s)(u/s<d/s)(u/s<d/s)(Ft<Pl)Very Low

High

Fairly HighHigh

Mx>Pl>Ft>Mt

StableDecreasing

Decreasing

Very HighLow

Fairly highHigh

Mt>Pl>Mx>Ft

Concentration
8. C/F Vs.
discharge
9. SedimentYield

u/s, m/s and d/s distinguish stations that are upstream, middle and downstream relative
to each other.
C/F = Critical Flow
[ 36 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 10
Catchment characteristics of North Bihar Plains (Sinha & Jain, 1998)
River

Total lenth

Total Catchment

Upland/Plains

(km)

(km)

area ratio

2

3

4

1
Gandak

625

260

45035

4188

3.33

Kosi

736

260

59503

11410

5.31

Burhi Gandak

431

320

13191

9601

0.00

Bagmati

330

394

8439

6500

0.68

Kamla-Balan

226

120

11347

4488

0.19

Total Catchment area

The area of the catchment measured from the source ofthe river to the confluence of the mouth with the Ganga.

LengthTotal river length from the source to the site or to theconfluence with the Ganga.

Upland / Plains area ratio

Ratio of the catchment area above the mountains fromto that below this.

The Water Sediment Flux as measured at different stations have estimated that thewater transferred is of the order of 1298×1011 kg/yr. and the sediment transferred is of thetune of 161×10 9 kg/yr.
The central Bihar rivers e.g. Karmnasa, Durgawati and Dhamauti take their rise at
Rohtasgarh Plateau with NE trending lineament. They drain down the Ganga-Son interfluve.
The other important river Son flows along the faulted southern margin of the Rohtasgarh
plateau. It takes turn, around the eastern edge of Rohtasgarh plateau, towards NE anddrains into Ganga near Maner.
The other rivers are Punpun-Morhar group, which merges and flows into Ganga.
Several other streams e.g., Dardha, Phalgu, Paimar, Dhadhar and Sakri emerge from
Chotanagpur Plateau. These rivers have tendency, along Jehanabad-Munger axis to split
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 37 ]

into number of small distributory streams and rejoins to finally form a stream that runs
close to and parallel to Ganga and joins Ganga near Surajgarha. The Barnar and Kiul rivers
draining the NE extremities of Bihar Mica belt also meet this stream before merging with
Ganga. The stream e.g., Badua and Chandan, draining the southern upland, flows directly
into the Ganga. Catchment characteristics of north Bihar plains are shown in Table 10.
The Waterlogging in the Bihar State is mainly due to surface ponding of water during
rainy season. The riverbeds in the state are full of silt and there are poor drainage
conditions, which result in accumulation of water in Kharif season and subsequently in rabi
and summer seaon depending upon water volume. Erratic rainfall and poor sub surface
drainage area also cause for waterlogging in the state. Exessive canal irrigation in rabiseason is also cause for waterlogging of seasonal nature in many commands of Bihar. In
many command areas falling in North Bihar, rice is cultivated in most of the chaur or
depression areas where standing water can be seen in rainy season and even in winter.
Farmers throw seeds in the chaur during May-June. During rainy season when the watergets accumulated in the depression or chaur, height of rice plant increases. The crop isready to harvest after water recession. Sometimes if the water remains in the chaur, thenthe rice crop will remain as it is. Harvesting mainly depends upon rainfall and amount ofwater in the chaur. Total waterlogged area in Bihar is 627.888 thousand ha. The twin problemof waterlogging and soil salinity caused by natural or anothropogenic processes is amajorenvironmental hazard and threat to agricultural production. Crop growth reduction
due to salinity is generally related with higher osmotic potential of soil solution in the rootzone. As salinity levels increase, the plant must spend more energy to take up water fromthe same soil water pool. high soil salinity can also cause nutrient imbalances, result in theaccumulation of toxic elements. Besides, salinization causes loss of large areas of formerly
productive lands. In fact, the irrigation development in the arid zone usually has to deal withsecondary as well as with primary and fossil salinity. This primary and fossil salt mobilization[ 38 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Boardhas been found to be one of the principal causes of the river's salinization in irrigated basins in
the arid zone. Waterlogging has very bad effect on the ecosystem like temperature stratification,
variation in nutrient contents and dissolved oxygen at different level. Reduced dissloved oxygen
affects the aquatic and riparian lives. The methane gas released by waterlogged area is anelement of green house effect. Due to waterlogging, major diseases as malaria, polio, foot rot,
liver fluke infestation and other diseases of animals and plants (as root-rots) also occurs. So
there is an urgent need to remove the congestion of drainage and to reclaim these areas forbetter environmental condition.
River erosion in Bihar is one of the important issues. About 325 river erosion sites havebeen identified in the State. The number of sites in each river is presented in Table 11
Table 11

No. of Erosion sites in the River of Bihar
Sl.No.

Name of River

No. of erosion sites

1.

Ganga

60

2.

Mahananda

30

3.

Kosi

75

4.

Kamla

20

5.

Burhi Gandak

30

6.

Ghaghra10

7

Gandak70

8.

Bagmati30

A little over 26 lakhs ha irrigation potential has been created in the state out of which
16 lakhs ha are utilized. Irrigation potential created and utilized district wise are presented
in Table 12. Districtwise waterlogged area is presented in Table 13.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 39 ]

[ 40 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.

Sl.
No.
1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

2
Aurangabad
Gaya
Arwal
Bhojpur
Buxar
RohtasKaimurPatna
NalandaNawadaShekhpura
Jehanabad
Lakhisarai
Bhagalpur
MungerJamui
Banka
Total (Central Bihar)West Champaran
East Champaran
Saran (Chhapra)
Siwan
Gopalganj
Muzaffarpur
VaishaliSupaulMadhepura
PurniaArariaKatihar
Saharsa
Madhubani
Total (North Bihar)
Grand Total

District
Kharif
3
1.508
0.405
0.322
0.907
0.655
2.521
0.959
0.020
0.310
0.350
0.139
0.360
0.376
0.155
0.288
0.289
1.018
10.584
1.395
0.665
0.521
0.833
0.729
0.255
0.013
0.849
0.400
0.390
0.316
0.044
0.109
0.78
7.299
17.883Irrigation Potential Created
Rabbi
Garma
4
5
0.227
0.000
0.080
0.000
0.049
0.000
0.567
0.000
0.459
0.000
1.134
0.000
0.540
0.000
0.082
0.000
0.053
0.000
0.043
0.000
0.025
0.000
0.060
0.000
0.060
0.000
0.029
0.000
0.053
0.000
0.057
0.000
0.211
0.000
3.729
0.000
0.775
0.158
0.338
0.069
0.400
0.019
0.451
0.022
0.474
0.025
0.118
0.021
0.024
0.004
0.295
0.207
0.085
0.058
0.182
0.103
0.185
0.108
0.044
0.024
0.060
0.042
0.137
0.079
3.568
0.939
7.297
0.939
Total
6
1.735
0.485
0.371
1.474
1.114
3.655
1.499
0.102
0.363
0.395
0.164
0.420
0.436
0.184
0.341
0.346
1.229
14.313
2.328
1.072
0.940
1.306
1.228
0.394
0.041
1.351
0.543
0.675
0.609
0.112
0.211
0.996
11.80626.119IRRIGATION POTENTIAL CREATED AND UTLISED, DISTRICT WISE

Table - 12

Kharif
7
1.261
0.149
0.226
0.736
0.523
2.043
0.817
0.307
0.147
0.158
0.091
0.167
0.263
0.115
0.213
0.228
0.762
8.205
0.7725
0.34
0.399
0.641
0.553
0.098
0.024
0.414
0.205
0.193
0.146
0.017
0.062
0.413
4.277
12.482Irrigation Potential Utilised
Rabbi
Garma
8
9
0.245
0.000
0.029
0.000
0.031
0.000
0.381
0.000
0.321
0.000
0.718
0.000
0.350
0.000
0.018
0.000
0.012
0.000
0.010
0.000
0.006
0.000
0.014
0.000
0.044
0.000
0.022
0.000
0.041
0.000
0.044
0.000
0.162
0.000
2.448
0.000
0.336
0.081
0.145
0.035
0.179
0.000
0.203
0.000
0.215
0.000
0.014
0.000
0.003
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.001
0.000
0.001
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.007
0.000
1.102
0.118
3.550
0.118

(in lakh ha.)

Total
10
1.506
0.178
0.257
1.117
0.844
2.761
1.167
0.325
0.159
0.168
0.097
0.181
0.307
0.137
0.254
0.272
0.924
10.653
1.1895
0.52
0.578
0.844
0.768
0.112
0.027
0.414
0.205
0.194
0.147
0.017
0.062
0.420
5.497
16.150Table - 13

Districtwise Waterlogged Area
Sl. No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.

37.

District
ArariaAurangabad
Banka
Begusarai
Bhabhua
Bhagalpur
Bhojpur
Buxar
Darbhanga
East Champaran
Gaya
Gopalganj
Jehanabad & Arwal
Jamui
KatiharKhagaria
Kishanganj
Lakhisarai
Madhepura
Madhubani
MungerMuzaffarpur
NalandaNawadaPatna
PurniaRohtasSaharsa
Samastipur
Saran
Sheikhpura
SheoharSitamarhi
Siwan
SupaulVaishaliW. Champaran
Total

Total area in '000 ha
26.885
2.464
3.965
2.908
10.82212.03323.10512.26220.25134.3945.651
21.692
12.4931.594
38.4042.07
12.98
16.67614.222
11.4865.337
32.69223.063
4.944
62.38
36.3
4.005
9.277
18.074
32.34
1.789
2.004
4.947
23.04824.70734.49522.127627.886(Source: Water Resources Department, GoB)
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 41 ]

3.1.1.5. GROUND WATER :The water bearing properties are the main guiding lines for grouping the geologicalformations of Bihar. On this basis, four main subdivisions are made;A

Main alluvial basin with good ground water potentialities having considerable
granulose zone with effective porosity.

B.

Marginal alluvial terrain which forms a part of the alluvial tract, but is dominated byfiner clastics or inadequate alluvial thickness and granular horizons fringing the hardrock terrain and the localised alluvial pockets in the rocky terrain, viz; near rivers andin valleys (20-30 m of alluvium).

C.

Hard rock terrain, comprising the entire Archaean terrain and Vindhyan hill areas withvery little groundwater potentialities.

D.

Soft rock areas, viz; Gondwana and Tertiary areas.
Hydrogeological parameters of the state has been depicted in the [Plate No. 7 (A &B)]. On the basis of geological and geomorphological set up and characteristics of aquifers,
Bihar can be divided into two broad hydrogelogical units, (1) fissured formations and (2)porous formations. The details of the characterisation of consolidated/ semi-consoliated /unconsolidated formations in terms of age group, lithology, hydrogeological conditions andground water potential are summarised in the Plate No. 7 (A) & 7 (B).
3.1.1.6. LAND USE
The land use parameter plays an important role in agricultural economics. In Bihar
more than 80% of the area is cultivable land out of which 60% is under net sown area
(Refer Plate 8). The forest land constitutes 7% of the total area. More than 80% of the
population depends on agricultural activity and the average holding is less than 0.4 ha.
One of the leading problems of Bihar is to find how best the land use is made effective in[ 42 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

order to have intensive agricultural output.
In the districts of Patna, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Buxar, Kaimur and Jehanabad all
the aerable lands are under cultivation because of the availability of assured irrigation
either through tube-wells or canals. The area under more than one crop yield is variable indifferent districts. In Patna and Nalanda districts it covers very close to cent per cent. The
net area sown in Saran, Gopalganj and Siwan comes to 98%, in Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi,
Seohar and Vaishali districts it is 95%, in Madhubani, Darbhanga and Samastipur it is
87% in Gaya, Aurangabad and Jehanabad it is 86.7% and in Purbi and Paschim Champaran
it is 84%. The existing land use pattern could be grouped under following nine classes :(i)

Pure agricultural area (61%)(ii)

Culturable wastelands (10.7%)(iii)

Barren and inculturable land (2.1%)(iv)

Orchards (1.7%)(v)

Aerable waste land (1.1%)(vi)

Non-aerable land (13%) under other than agriculture(vii)

Pasteures (0.4%)(viii) Forest (7%)(ix)

Rock & Reh land (3%)

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 43 ]

3.1.2.1. Meteorology
The state has a tropical monsoon climate with three distinct seasons-winter, summer
and rainy. The climatic conditions of state vary with its physiographic set-up. Broadly thestate can be divided into three climate zones.
(a) The Sub-Himalayan zone (b) The Ganga plains zone and (c) The parts of
Chotanagpur plateau zones of South Bihar.
(a)

The Sub-Himalayan zone : The Sub-Himalayan zone in the northern part ofthe state receives high incidence of rainfall over 1400 mm, bulk of which is found to occur
during the monsoon season from June to September. The mean maximum temprature is
43°C and the mean minimum temperature is 4°C.
(b)

The Ganga plains : The Ganga plains zone forms an excessive bowl of warm

air, especially during day time. The mean maximum daily temperature even the coldest
month (January) nowhere falls below 21°C. Hot season in the zone covers the period from
April to June, May being the hottest month in the greater part of the area. West of Gaya thedaily mean maximum temperature in May rises to 40°c and above, the mean daily maximum
air temperature being as high as 41.3°C at Gaya. The cold weather period extends from
December to February, January being the coldest month when temperature falls below 10°C,
especially in the valley west of Gaya where daily maximum temperature for the month of January
touches 10.1°C. In lower Ganga plain, the minimum temperature is somewhat higher being
11°C at Patna. The onset of monsoon normally occurs in early June in the Lower Bengal and by
the end of July, the monson establishes itself over the entire Gang Plain and results in heavy
downpour and triggered off everywhere till the end of September. The geographic distributionof the mean annual rainfall is shown by contours in the Plate No. 9.
(c)The parts of Chotanagpur plateau: The maximum summer temperature

ranges from 46°C in the western part to 42°C in the east, the annual rainfall ranges from
800 mm in the western part to 600 m in the eastern part.
3.1.2.2. Air quality
The raw data on Air quality for Shastri Nagar and Gandhi Maidan, Patna for the period
2000-01 to 2004-05 are presented in Table No.14 to 23.
[ 44 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

3.1.2.3. Noise Level
Automobile revolution in urban
area has proved to be a major cause ofnoise pollution. The movements of heavy
trucks, buses, trains, jet-planes, threewheeler tempos motorcycles, scooters,
mopeds, jeeps falls under the list whose
cumulative sound outcome is the noise
pollution.
Typical ambient noise level monitoring of Patna, Muzaffarpur and Gaya towns during
the year 2004-05 are presented in Table 24 to 26.
3.1.2.4. Socio-Economy
Bihar has tremendous human resource, fertile agricultural land and eco-friendly tourist
resorts with their optimum utilisation potential in the backdrop of growing population. It has
also been the choosen place for major public sector projects like refinery, fertiliser productand power generation. Every year many foreign tourists come to Bodh Gaya, Rajgir andVaishali. The Madhubani paintings has been attracting the attention world over and could
be revived and commercialised.
The main thrust of socio-economy lies in the agricultural sector and the peripheral
rural agro-industries. The land and water management programmes by the state govt. in
the irrigational command areas and the development agencies viz; (i) Son Command Area
Development Authority (ii) Gandak command Area Development Authority and (iii) Kosi
command Area Development authority have been entrusted with Job to take care of the
secured irrigation water need, the proper maintenance, marketing of the agricultural produce
and related socio-economic measures.
The Govt. of Bihar has contemplated various small & minor irrigation schemes forthe identified drought prone areas.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 45 ]

[ 46 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

5.2

7.8

9.5

10

Sept’ 2000

Oct.’ 2000

Nov.’ 2000

Dec.’ 2000

AnnualMar.’ 2001

5.1

6.2

Aug.’ 2000

35.5

33

27

24.3

21.9

19.1

36

27

5.1

July’ 2000

17.2

Feb.’ 2001

5.9

June’ 2000

18.9

36

7.2

May’ 2000

27

Max.

983

114

113

120

111

81

59

57

60

58

96

69

N

7

13.9

12

9.9

7

7.5

7.2

9.5

9.8

11.2

Min.

40

33.4

40

39.2

38

32

29.2

26.6

26.4

21.9

26.1

31.5

Max.

20.5

21.4

22.6

24.2

23.3

19.8

18

16.3

18.4

18.4

19.9

22.8

Mean

OXIDES OF NITROGEN

938

114

113

120

111

81

59

57

60

58

96

69

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

16.4

16.3

19.6

20.8

19.2

16.3

13.6

13.4

13.7

14.6

16.1

17.3

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Jan.’ 2001

8.5

Min.

April’ 2000

MONTH

Location : Gandhi Maidan - Patna

43

302

418

141

178

45

59

43

101

210

297

Min.

2644

934

1377

1937

1132

826

734

555

464

327

808

2644

Max.

537

751

846

902

626

431

306

236

221

204

492

894

Mean

539

87

87

60

56

42

30

29

30

29

50

39

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTERAMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2000-2001

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 14

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 47 ]

4

4.2

3

4

4.9

4.7

5.1

7

June’ 2000

July’ 2000

Aug.’ 2000

Sept’ 2000

Oct.’ 2000

Nov.’ 2000

Dec.’ 2000

Jan.’ 2001

AnnualMar.’ 2001

3

4.7

May’ 2000

Feb.’ 2001

3.7

Min.

April’ 2000

MONTH

18.2

16.9

18.2

18

15.7

15.9

11.2

11.6

9.5

9.5

13.2

16.3

Max.

563

48

47

53

56

48

52

52

54

55

60

38

N

3.8

10

6.9

6.1

5.6

4.8

3.8

5.3

6

6.2

5.6

Min.

21.5

19.1

20.5

21.5

19.5

19

14.4

16

12

12

14.2

20

Max.

11.73

13.7

15.2

13.8

12.7

10.9

8.5

8.6

10.3

10.5

12.3

12.6

Mean

NITROGEN OXIDE

563

48

47

53

56

48

52

52

54

55

60

38

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

9.5

11.2

13

11.2

9.9

9.2

6.6

6.3

8.6

8.4

10.2

10

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

38

115

129

121

83

56

38

41

39

87

137

Min.

327

297

319

325

227

202

209

150

152

127

237

327

Max.

161.99

203

205

203

185

150

143

83

103

89.9

187

230

Mean

24

23

27

28

24

25

25

27

28

30

20

N

281

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE

Location : At Beltron Bhawan, Shastri Nagar, Patna

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2000-2001

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 15

[ 48 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

7.9

8

4.8

6.3

7.4

9.4

9.5

12.7

19.6

10.1

10.4

11.6

4.8

May’ 01

June’ 01

July’ 01

Aug.’ 01

Sept’ 01

Oct.’ 01

Nov.’ 01

Dec.’ 01

Jan.’ 02

Feb.’ 02

Mar.’ 02

AnnualMin.

April’ 01

MONTH

28.6

26.4

23

27

28.6

27

23

26

23.2

21.1

25

22

23.7

Max.

575

40

44

56

40

30

39

38

58

58

60

56

56

N

6.1

13.2

14

12

23.4

14.5

10.5

11.5

9

7.6

6.1

10

10.1

Min.

32.5

29.2

27.9

31

32.5

31.5

26.1

27.5

24.2

23.9

28.2

26.6

28.1

Max.

19.6

22.4

22.5

20.9

27.8

24.4

19.4

19.7

15.8

12.8

14.9

17.1

18

Mean

OXIDES OF NITROGEN

575

40

44

56

40

30

39

38

58

58

60

56

56

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

17.2

19.2

17.8

18.1

24.6

21

16.5

16.8

13.8

13.3

13.4

17.1

15

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Location : At Gandhi Maidan - Patna

81

317

317

307

536

295

265

210

81

92

207

173

161

Min.

1192

673

675

702

791

719

675

578

698

626

1192

831

1028

Max.

445

488

523

492

628

5058

462

414

243

263

315

456

557

Mean

289

20

22

28

20

15

20

19

29

30

30

28

28

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTERAMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2001-2002

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 16

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 49 ]

4.6

4.9

4.9

4

4.2

4.5

4.4

4.1

5

4.5

4.2

5

4

May’ 01

June’ 01

July’ 01

Aug.’ 01

Sept’ 01

Oct.’ 01

Nov.’ 01

Dec.’ 01

Jan.’ 02

Feb.’ 02

Mar.’ 02

AnnualMin.

April’ 01

MONTH

16

12

12.8

15

15.4

13.3

15.3

13.1

14.7

12

12.9

16

15.4

Max.

675

60

60

57

60

54

59

60

60

59

46

52

48

N

5

7.2

6.1

5.6

5.6

5.3

5.6

5.1

5

5.2

5.8

5.8

5.7

Min.

22

20.7

22

21

19.2

18.1

17

14.4

17.8

14

15.8

21.9

15.4

Max.

11.4

13.1

13.9

13.2

12.3

10.8

9.3

9.2

10.7

9.4

10.7

13

11.1

Mean

NITROGEN OXIDE

675

60

60

57

60

54

59

60

60

59

46

52

48

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

8.6

8.9

8.5

8.6

10.1

8.7

7.2

7.7

8.2

7.7

8.9

9.7

9.3

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

41

144

109

77

113

89

53

61

65

41

49

162

163

Min.

682

295

360

277

266

193

181

151

189

225

363

682

292

Max.

194

225

239

177

204

153

112

102

126

137

274

364

220

Mean

339

30

30

29

30

27

30

30

30

30

23

26

24

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER

Location : At Beltron Bhawan, Shastri Nagar, Patna

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2001-2002

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 17

[ 50 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

4

8.4

8.9

8.5

9.4

10.9

12.7

10.7

7.8

June’ 02

July’ 02

Aug.’ 02

Sept’ 02

Oct.’ 02

Nov.’ 02

Dec.’ 02Jan.’ 03

Feb.’ 03

Annual4

10.9

May’ 02

Mar.’ 03

10Min.

April’ 02

MONTH

40.5

23.5

23.5

26

29

40.5

24

20.1

20.5

23.9

24.1

21.7

Max.

587

48

60

58

57

56

56

50

52

48

50

52

N

9.4

9.4

13.2

28.5

12

12.2

9.5

10.1

10

14

11.5

12.4

Min.

42

25.7

27

14

32.7

42

29.5

24.9

23

28.8

30

24.6

Max.

19.8

18.5

20.3

21.4

22.7

22.8

17.3

16.4

18.5

21

20.9

18.5

Mean

OXIDES OF NITROGEN

586

48

60

58

57

56

56

50

52

47

50

52

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

17

16.4

18

18.6

19.8

19.4

14.5

14

15.5

17.1

17.8

15.9

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Location : At Gandhi Maidan - Patna

76

76

117

167

390

163

91

315

185

322

225

439

Min.

2145

1321

266

815

2145

1155

796

695

465

631

812

702

Max.

451

184

175

461

800

608

323

514

327

492

552

527

Mean

294

24

30

29

29

28

28

25

26

24

25

26

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTERAMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2002-2003

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 18

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 51 ]

4

4

4.6

4.7

4.5

5

5.2

5

4.7

June’ 02

July’ 02

Aug.’ 02

Sept’ 02

Oct.’ 02

Nov.’ 02

Dec.’ 02Jan.’ 03

Feb.’ 03

Annual4

4.5May’ 02

Mar.’ 03

4.2

Min.

April’ 02

MONTH

40.5

13.5

11.8

40.5

18.5

13.1

12

10.8

12.8

13

12.5

26

Max.

648

60

59

60

60

59

60

59

59

53

59

60

N

3.9

5.4

6.1

6.4

6

5

3.9

5.6

4.8

4.9

5.2

5.7

Min.

20.8

17

14.1

16.7

20.8

17.7

15.2

13.9

15.9

17

18.2

20

Max.

10.5

10.1

9.7

10.9

11.3

10.5

9.1

9.3

9.7

11.3

11.2

11.9

Mean

NITROGEN OXIDE

648

60

60

60

60

59

60

59

59

53

59

59

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

8.2

8.1

7.9

9.1

9.3

8.6

7.5

7.5

7.7

8.3

8.1

8.6

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

24

24

37

35

99

45

40

41

51

102

138

200

Min.

765

277

107

765

227

198

211

208

334

271

287

304

Max.

144.6

113

68

152

141

125

96

93

144

183

215

261

Mean

327

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

27

30

30

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER

Location : At Beltron Bhawan, Shastri Nagar, Patna

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2002-2003

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 19

[ 52 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

8.9

Feb.’ 04

Annual8.1

8.1

Jan.’ 04

Mar.’ 04

8.1

Min.

Dec.’ 03

MONTH

125.3

125.3

23

36.4

Max.

150

40

62

48

N

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

Min.

146.9

122

121.2

146.9

Max.

61.1

68.6

52.4

62.2

Mean

OXIDES OF NITROGEN

156

42

66

48

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

16.7

21.3

13.4

15.4

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Location : At Gandhi Madan - Patna

137

210

146

137

Min.

634

523

327

634

Max.

308

327

236

362

Mean

76

20

32

24

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTERAMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2003-2004

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 20

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 53 ]

7.8

7

7.9

Dec.’ 03Jan.’ 04

Feb.’ 04

Annual5.2

6.4

Nov.’ 03

Mar.’ 04

5.2

Min.

Oct.’ 03

MONTH

108

48.1

20.1

32.2

108

44.1

Max.

517

65

82

83

167

120

N

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

4.5

9.8

Min.

95.1

94.7

95.1

71.4

62.7

21.3

Max.

112.8

459

33.5

34.8

21.8

14.8

Mean

NITROGEN OXIDE

522

66

84

84

168

120

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

13.5

15.2

11.8

15.3

14.8

10.4

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

93

151

123

135

107

93

Min.

444

444

280

388

352

149

Max.

199.4

258

193

252

177

117

Mean

261

33

42

42

84

60

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER

Location : At Beltron Bhawan, Shastri Nagar, Patna

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2003-2004

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 21

[ 54 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

6.5

6.2

6.5

6

7.5

6.9

5.6

July’ 04

Aug.’ 04

Sept’ 04

Oct.’ 04

Nov.’ 04

Dec.’ 04

Jan.’ 05

AnnualMar.’ 05

5.5

6.7

June’ 04

Feb.’ 05

5.5

Min.

May’ 04

April’ 04

MONTH

183

13.2

15.3

183

17

13.1

11.8

31.6

46.3

33.3

Max.

589

78

54

36

66

71

74

78

66

66

N

5.5

9.8

11.6

10.3

5.5

10.2

10.3

8

6.5

6.8

Min.

77.4

46.2

77.4

28.8

40.8

31.6

28

32.7

29.6

61.7

Max.

18.3

23.2

24.8

18.7

17.5

16.9

15

14.4

12.6

21.6

Mean

OXIDES OF NITROGEN

589

78

54

36

66

71

74

78

66

66

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

10.3

9.5

10.5

10.2

9.9

8.6

8.8

9.7

12

13.7

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

92

93

104

108

104

111

105

100

92

155

Min.

669

315

275

219

234

169

167

284

433

669

Max.

180.1

165

171

159

151

139

134

149

229

324

Mean

295

39

27

18

33

36

37

39

33

33

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER

Location : At Beltron Bhawan, Shastri Nagar, Patna

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2004-2005

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 22

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 55 ]

6.7

6.6

5.6

6.7

7.7

July’ 04

Aug.’ 04

Sept’ 04

Oct.’ 04

Nov.’ 04

AnnualMar.’ 05

Feb.’ 05

Jan.’ 05

5.6

5.6

7.1

June’ 04

Dec.’ 04

8.5

Min.

May’ 04

April’ 04

MONTH

62.6

18.4

21.3

23.4

13.5

17.8

16.6

52.8

62.6

Max.

460

41

18

66

74

72

65

71

53

N

8.4

9.8

19.5

11.1

12.1

10.4

10.5

8.4

108

Min.

91.4

74.8

91.4

69.3

40.1

34.8

43.2

42.7

68.8

Max.

27.5

29.1

54.8

30.8

25.2

19.5

20

17.1

23.4

Mean

OXIDES OF NITROGEN

460

41

18

66

74

72

65

71

53

N

Note : Units are in µg/m3 ; N – number of observations.

11.9

10

8.9

10.8

9.4

9.5

10.7

14.7

21.4

Mean

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Location : At Gandhi Maidan - Patna

93

93

147

109

118

116

124

124

203

Min.

749

333

286

391

207

203

309

522

749

Max.

224.6

189

230

185

162

154

185

270

422

Mean

234

22

9

33

38

36

33

36

27

N

SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTERAMBIENT AIR QUALITY DATA FOR THE YEAR 2004-2005

Bihar State Pollution Control Board, Patna

TABLE - 23

TABLE - 24 : Typical Ambient Noise Level Monitoring
Report of Patna town (2004-05)
Sl. Sampling Location
No.

Zone
Category

1. IGIMS (in front of wards block)
2. In front of Raj Bhawan
3. In front of Vidhan Shabha
Bhawan4. High Court Near Bhimrao
Ambedkar Statue
5. D.A.V. Public School, BSEB
Colony (during school hour)
6. A.N. College Campus (Infront of Technical Block)7. Loyola High School
8. Kurji Holy Family HospitalCampus
9. St. Michael Hih School
Campus
10. Magadha Mahila College(Campus)11. P.M.C.H. Campus
12. Science College, Campus
13. In front of Law College Hostel
11. Rajendra Nagar Hospital
12. N.M.C.H. Campus (In frontof main Building)
13. G.P.O. Campus, Patna
14. Patna Museum, Campus
15. A.G. Colony

Slience zone

16. Ashiyana Nagar, Phase-1
17. Magistrate colony, Ashiyana
Nagar, N. Community Hall.
18. Patliputra Colony Golumbar
19. North S.K. Puri (Near Dr.
Gopal Prasad Residence)
20. South S.K. Puri NearChildren Park
21. East Patel Nagar
22. P&T Colony, Kidwaipuri
23. S.K. Nagar (Infront of Bank ofindia) Road no.-25
23. Mc Dowell Golumbar, Near
Monuel Haque Stadium,
Rajendra Nagar
24. Lohanipur (Infront of Bank ofIndia) Road No.-25
25. Near Magadh Hospital,
Rajendra Nagar,
26. Kadam Kuan,
27. Gardanibagh, Road No.-4
Near Durbhash Kendra
28. Gardanibagh Road No.-15,
Near Shishu Vidyamandir
29. Kankarbagh Temopostandin front of Bhagat Bhawan[ 56 ]

Average Ambient
Noise level indB(A) Leq
60.2
56.4
54.6

Day time standards inrespect of noise
06:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
50 dB(A) Leg

Remarks

74.5
70.4
71.6
66.6
62.4
53.2
64.4
66.4
62.0
69.4
58.3
64.1

Residential
Zone

72.7
68.4
60.4

56.2
59.6
70.3
62.4
72.4
68.5
55.2
63.8
62.6

68.2
57.4
59.3
68.6
74.8
67.4

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

55 dB(A) Leq

Interruption of
local vehicular
encroachment
in the street

Typical Ambient Noise Level Monitoring
Report of Patna town (2004-05)
Sl. Sampling Location
No.
30.

31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.

51.
52.

53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.

61.
62.

63.

64.

In front of Geological Surveyof India, Kankarbagh, Near
Rajendra Nagar Over Bridge
In front of Gayatri Shakti Pith
(Mandir), Kankarbagh-20
Shiv Puri Chuaraha, Chauraha
Near Shiv Mandir
Rani Ghat area
Jagdeo Path
Alapna Market, Patliputra
Patliputra Columbar
Rajapur Pul
Bansghat
Boring Road Crossing
Maurya Lok Near Swami
Vivekanand Statue
Dukbunglow Chouraha (Police
Control Room)
Kargil Chowk
Exhibition Road Crossing
Infront of Hanuman Mandir(Patna Station)
Bir Kunwar Singh Golumbar
Near R. Block
Ashok Raj Path
Near Patna marker
Mahendru Post Office
Musallahpur Hat
Bhikhana Pahari More
Kadam Kuan Golambar (Near
St. Severin’s High School),
Patna-4Halthua market
Bari path Near Department ofeducation, P.U. (Opposite to
Dariyapur mosque)
Machhua Toli Chowk(Bari Path Road)
Dinkar Golumbar, Nala Road
(Infront of Mandir)
Chitkohra Market(Gardani bagh)
Chirayatand Pul, Near
Khasmahal Golumbar
Kankarbagh Colony More
Bahadurpur Gumati(Near Petrol Pump)
Kankarbagh Tempo Stand(Near R.M.L. Guest House)
M/s APT Engicone (P) Ltd.
Patliputra C-1, Industrial
area, Patna - 13
M/s Tata Engineering
Autozone Services (P) Ltd.
M/s Mahindra Authorised
Dealer Kisanseva Kendra
Service Centre, Patna-13
M/s Hindustan Coco Cola
Beverages (P) Ltd. Patliputra
Industrial Area, Patna-13
M/s Beltron Training Institute,
Patliputra Ind. Area patna-13

Zone
Category

Average Ambient
Noise level indB(A) Leq

Day time standards inrespect of noise
06:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Remarks

77.6

62.4
66.6

Commercial
Zone

54.4
78.4

65dB(A) Leg

Local activities
as well as traffic

75 dB(A) Leq

Low activities
due to poor
industrial growth

80.6
67.4
77.4
71.4
76.8
70.2
73.8
79.8
73.4
71.7
84.6
74.2
79.2
70.9
70.7
75.3

60.8
76.5

76.1
74.4
76.8
74.6
72.4
76.3
64.9
Industrial
Zone

57.4

72.2
59.6

65.4

62.2

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 57 ]TABLE - 25 : Typical Ambient Noise Level Monitoring
Report of Muzaffarpur town (2004-05)
Sl.
No.

Sampling Location

1.

Near Juran Chapra Chowk

2.
3.
4.

Bhagwanpur Chowk
Kalyani Chowk, (Com)Aamgola Near Rly Crossing(Train is not crossing)Baiya Bus Stand near Ticket
Booking OfficeRamdayaloo More
Sarai Syed Ali Road,
Technical Chowk
M.E. Hospital Main Gate

5.
6.
7.
8.

9.
10.
11.

Zone
Category

Average Ambient
Noise level indB(A) Leq

Day time standards inrespect of noise
06:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Commercial

75.7

65 dB(A) Leq

Remarks

Commercial
activities aswell as plyingof vehicles

76.8
71.6
68.7
78.8

Residential

74.2
67.4

55 dB(A) Leq

Silence74.1

50 dB(A) Leq

SKMCH, Near Emergency
Ward
B.R.A. University, Campus
Near Kachhari Chowk

plying ofunauthorized
Vehicles

52.2
56.4
72.4

TABLE - 26 : Typical Ambient Noise Level Monitoring
Report of Gaya town (2004-05)
Sl.
No.

Sampling Location

Zone
Category

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Near Kashi Nath More
Kachhari Chowk
In front of SBI Main Branch
G.B. Road Near Kotawali
Rang Bahadur Road Chowk,
Near Hanuman Mandir
Gaya Chowk, Near Columbar
Station Road, Gaya
New Area Piparpanti
Near S.P. Residence, Gaya
Bata More, Swarajpuri

commercial

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

[ 58 ]

Tekari More
Kachari Near Civil Court
Near D.P.S. school, Katari
Hill Road
A.M. College Campus, GayaResidential

Silence

Average Ambient
Noise level indB(A) Leq
76.9
78.4
74.4
68.9
66.4

Day time standards inrespect of noise
06:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

78.6
76.2
53.6
59.2
65.8
74.6
76.8
58.9
54.4

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

Remarks

Non-Residential
activities....do.....

3.1.3 BIOTIC PARAMETERS
3.1.3.1 Biodiversity
In an ecosystem there is diversity of species which attracts attention of the evolutionary
and ecological factors that had been responsible for such diversification. The species
diversity is not so uniform, as the value represented is, unless compared with species
diversity in another community. It is the geographical pattern in species diversity that tells
us about the factors contributing to diversity. In case of Bihar, the diversity of fauna andflora is noticeable in the backdrop of changing physiographic and climatic zonations andits remarkable longitudinal changes across the Ganga basin.
A rich variety of flora and fauna,we

hadaroundthewestern

Chotanagpur plateau where thickforest, sufficient hydrological input,
natural abode and food were theessential components of ecosystem,
available. What is to be monitored forthebiodiversityofprevailing

ecosystem, which have been subjected
to ravages of human influence, such aspollution and deforestation, is measure of their health and well being. The relative abundanceof species is an important component of the measure in a particular landsystem or
ecosystem. The concept of species or biodiversity is actually linked wih their actual number
and also with the commonness and rarity of species in a particular system. Further, north of
this hill-system, occupies the actual Ganga basin, the Tarai and sub-Himalayan tracts. The
actual Ganga basin, area where the agroclimatic zonation and land system zonation are
the two background layers over which the biodiversity could be well accessed andaccounted.
Considering the persistent threat to the survival of many ecosystems on the earth as aconsequence of human activities, one would indeed like to find out about the factors that
contribute to the stability of a biological community. Stability has been interpreted in different
ways. Three concepts of stability may be seen, as indicated below:
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 59 ]

(i)the population densities of species remain fairly constant through time
- constancy of numbers;(ii)

the community as a whole remians unchanged in the face of any major
disturbance, i.e., resistance to perturbation; and(iii)

the community has the ability to return to normal state or equilibrium
sooner or later if disrupted by a major disturbance.

3.1.3.2. SOCIO ECONOMIC FACTS ABOUT BIHAR
Population
TABLE - 27 : Decadal Population growth rate (%) 1991-2001
State

Rural

Urban

Total

Bihar

28.3

29.3

28.4

Jharkhand

21.6

29.0

23.2

Chattisgarh

14.2

36.2

18.1

Uttaranchal

15.2

32.8

19.2

Punjab

12.3

37.6

19.8

Maharastra

15.2

34.3

22.6

Tamil Nadu

-5.2

42.8

11.2

W. Bengal

16.9

20.2

17.8

Orissa

13.8

29.8

15.9

India

17.9

31.2

21.3
Source: Jagaran Report, 2001•

Decadal population growth rate for 1991-2001 are given above.

•

The above facts give the picture that the population growth of Bihar was morethan that of the other states as well as more than the national average.

•

There was increase in the urban population growth of the state. In comparison
to other states there was less increase in the urban population this is due to
low to medium migration of the population from rural to urban.

[ 60 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 28 : Percentage of Labour out of total population
State% of total Labour% of marginal labour% of non labour

from stateoutside

Bihar

25.4

8.3

66.3

Jharkhand

23.9

13.6

62.5

Chattisgarh

33.9

12.6

53.5

Uttaranchal

27.4

9.6

63.1

Punjab

32.2

5.3

62.5

Maharastra

35.9

6.6

57.5

Tamil Nadu

38.1

6.6

55.3

W. Bengal

28.7

8.1

63.2

Orissa

26.1

12.8

61.1

India

30.4

8.7

60.9
Source Jaragan Report, 2001

Poverty
TABLE - 29 : Percentage of people under poverty line (1999-2000)
State

Percentage (%) of people below poverty line

Bihar

40.9

Jharkhand

44.0

Chattisgarh

40.5

Uttaranchal

15.2

Punjab

6.2

Maharastra

25.0

Tamil Nadu

21.1

W. Bengal

27.0

Orissa

47.2

India

26.1
Source:NSS 55th round, Bhandari & Dube, 2003
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 61 ]

Sanitation
TABLE - 30 : Percentage of families with sanitation facilities, 2001
State

Percentage of families with sanitation facilities

Bihar

7.9

Jharkhand

10.7

Chattisgarh

8.9

Uttaranchal

15.4

Punjab

20.4

Maharastra

21.9

Tamil Nadu

23.2

India

18.0
Source: Cencus of India, 2001

Food Security
TABLE - 31 : Percentage (%) of families without food security (1999-2000)
State

Percentage (%) of families without food Security

Bihar

3.5

Jharkhand

12.5

Chattisgargh

5.8

Uttaranchal

2.5

Punjab0.2

Maharastra

1.2

Tamil Nadu

0.7

W. Bengal

8.6

Orissa

7.0

India

2.3
Source: NSS 55th Round[ 62 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

Safe Drinking Water
Percentage of families having safe Drinking Water, 2001
If a family has a supply tap, handpump or a tubewell inside their house or nearby,
which they use for drinking water, it is considered that they get safe drinking water. On thebasis of data based on census 2001, the following facts may be concluded :•About 90% of Bihar's population gets safe drinking water.

•

The condition of Bihar in availability of safe drinking water is far better than other highranking states of India.In states like Maharastra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu about 78% of
total population gets safe drinking water, whereas in Bihar, the percentage is approx
90%.

•

But still, a large number of Bihar's population is dependent on wells for drinking water.

Literacy Rate
In Bihar only 23% students below 10 years of age attend elementary schools. In this respect
there is an immediate and urgent need to improve the elementary education system.
TABLE - 32 : Literacy Rate of different States ( 2001)
State

Literacy Rate

Bihar

47.5

Jharkhand

54.1

Chattisgargh

65.2

Uttaranchal

72.3

Maharastra

77.3

Punjab70.0

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 63 ]

Tamil Nadu

73.5

W. Bengal

69.2

Orissa

63.6

India

65.4
Source: Census of India, 2001

The literacy rate of Bihar is the lowest among states and overall as well as
national average which is evident from Table - 32.
TABLE - 33 : Ratio of Girls and Boys of Elementary and Secondary
Schools of Different States (2001-2002)
State

Ratio of Boys and Girls of Elementaryand Secondary Schools

Bihar

0.6

Jharkhand

0.7

Chattisgargh

0.8

Uttaranchal

1.0

Maharastra

0.9

Punjab

0.9

Tamil Nadu

1.0

W. Bengal

0.9

Orissa

0.7

India

0.77
Source: Central Educational Statistisc, 2001-02

The situation of elementary and secondary education system is not very encouraging. The
teaching ratio of girls & boys is 10 : 6. It is evident that the admission of girls in comparison to boys
is very low. The admission ratio between girls and boys in Bihar is very low comparison to the state[ 64 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

of Jharkhand. In developed states Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamilnadu the ratio of boys and girls issignificantly high. Even that in the state of West Bangal ratio is same as that in those of the developed
states. On the basis of the facts stated above, the disparity in the gender ratio is evident. Studies
have revealed that the admission of large number of girls is reflective of the better quality of education,
health and family welfare in future generations.
TABLE - 34 : Ratio (in %) of Student-Teacher in different states
State

Ratio of Student -Teacher

Bihar

18

Jharkhand

24

Chattisgargh

31

Uttaranchal

35

Maharastra

22

Punjab

22

Tamil Nadu

15

W. Bengal

31

Orissa

18

India

21
Source: Selected Education Statistic, 2001-02

The low student-teacher ratio is suggestive of the better education imparted to thestudents, the lesser the number of students attached to a teacher, the better will be thequality of education. While this ratio is 21 at the National level, in Bihar the ratio is that of
18. Here, overall situation of Bihar is better not only in respect of Jharkhand, Punjab,
Maharashtra and Tamilnadu but at the National level too.
The data mentioned above indicates quantative education but lacks qualitatively.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 65 ]

Food Production
In state of Bihar 62% of the sowed area is qualitatively irrigated. In comparision to the state of
Punjab where the irrigational area is about 94%, the condition needs improvement in Bihar. Due toadequate and timely Monsoon, the lacuna on the irrigational front can be overcome by providing
facilities for errecting tanks, lakes and ponds in the probable areas. This will not only enhance theground water level but also effectively help in irrigational purpose.
TABLE - 35 : Food Production (kg per ha.), 2001-02
State

Food production (Kg per ha.)

Bihar

1679

Jharkhand

1094

Chattisgargh

1156

Uttaranchal

1742

Punjab4040

Maharastra

874

Tamil Nadu

2233

W. Bengal

2424

Orissa

1393

India

1739
Source: Agriculture Ministry, Govt. of India(2001-02)•

In Bihar food production per hectare is low compared to Indian average.

•

If we compare developed states like Punjab and Tamil Nadu with Bihar, the situation demands
effective interventions for improvement.

•

If we compare with neighbouring states like W. Bengal, food production per hectare is high,whereas in Orissa it is low.

[ 66 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 36 : Children of 10 yrs who have received
Primary education in different states (1999-2000)
State

Children of 10 yrs who have received
Primary education

Bihar

22.9

Jharkhand

34.2

Chattisgargh

25.6

Uttaranchal

44.4

Maharastra

46.7

Punjab

38.9

Orissa31.4

Tamil Nadu

65.4

(%)

Source: NSSO, 55th RoundTABLE - 37 : Gross Price
Gross Price (Rs. per person), 2000-01
State

Gross Price (Rs. per person), 2000-01

Jharkhand

1296

Bihar

63

Chattisgargh

396

Uttaranchal

301

Maharastra

1273

Punjab560

Tamil Nadu

1145

Orissa246

W. Bengal

296
Source: Annual survey of Industries, 2000-01
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 67 ]TABLE - 38 : Commercial Bank Loan
Commercial Bank Loan per person (Rs.), 2000-01
State

Commercial Bank Loan per person (Rs.)

Jharkhand

122

Bihar

50

Chattisgargh

124

Uttaranchal

194

Maharastra

1369

Punjab

546

Tamil Nadu

654

Orissa140

W. Bengal

270
Source: RBI 2002, Janaganna 2001

TABLE - 39 : Industrial Labour
Percentage of urban Industrial labour between 15-59 years, 2002
State

Percentage of urban Industrial labour between
15-59 years

Bihar

1.1

Jharkhand

5.4

Chattisgargh

3.5

Uttaranchal

3.0

Maharastra

3.7

Punjab

6.4

Tamil Nadu

6.9

Orissa2.7

W. Bengal

4.4
Source: Annual Survey of Industries, 2000-01[ 68 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 40 : Houses with T.V
Percentage of Houses with T.V
State

Percentage of Houses with T.V

Bihar

9.1

Jharkhand

17.2

Chattisgargh

21.5

Uttaranchal

42.9

Maharastra

44.1

Punjab

67.7

Tamil Nadu

39.5

W. Bengal

26.6

Orissa

15.5

India

31.6
Source: Janaganna 2001

TABLE - 41 : Basic Infrastructure
Road
Percentage of villages connected with roads, 1999-2001
State

Percentage of villages connected with roads

Bihar

60

Jharkhand

44

Chattisgargh

16

Uttaranchal

62

Maharastra

95

Punjab92

Tamil Nadu

93

W. Bengal

49

Orissa

41

India

41
Source: Rural Development Ministry, Indian Government, 2001
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 69 ]TABLE - 42 : Length of road per lakh of population in different states, 1999
State

Length of road per lakh of population (km)Bihar + Jharkhand

81

M.P + Chattisgargh

251

Maharastra

163

Punjab39.5

Tamil Nadu

266

W. Bengal

246

Orissa

99

India

715
Source : Motor Transport Statistic of India, 1999-2000,
Ministry of Road transport and Highways, Indian Government

TABLE - 43 : Density of Post Office
No. of Post Offices per lakh of population in different states, 2000-01
State

No. of P.O. per lakh

Bihar

10.8

Jharkhand

11.3

Chattisgargh

27.8

Uttaranchal

31.8

Maharastra

12.9

Punjab

16.1

Tamil Nadu

19.5

W. Bengal

22.2

Orissa

10.8

India

15.1
Source : Book of Information 200-01, Department of Posters, Ministry of communication,
Janaganna, 2001

[ 70 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 44 : Density of Telephone
No. of telephones per 100 people in different statesState

No. of telephones per 100 people

Bihar

1.3

Jharkhand

1.5

Chattisgargh

1.4

Uttaranchal

3.4

Maharastra

10.4

Punjab

10.6

Tamil Nadu

8

W. Bengal

2.9

Orissa

2.1

India

4.9
Source: indiastate.com(2001-02)

TABLE - 45 : Commercial Market
Bank deposit per person in different states
State

Deposit in all commercial banks/person (in Rs.)

Bihar

2354

Jharkhand

4866

Chattisgargh

2823

Uttaranchal

8188

Maharastra

14802

Punjab13062

Tamil Nadu

7658

W. Bengal

5874

Orissa3105
Source: RBI 2001, figures in Rupees.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 71 ]TABLE - 46 : Two wheeler & four wheeler
Percentage of people with two wheeler & four wheeler in different states, 2001
State% of families with% of families with

Four wheeler

Two wheeler (apart from cycle)

Bihar

0.9

3.6

Jharkhand

1.5

9.3

Chattisgargh

1.4

10.8

Uttaranchal

2.7

11.9

Maharastra

3.4

13.2

Punjab

5.8

31.6

Tamil Nadu

2.2

16.1

W. Bengal

1.9

5.0

Orissa1.1

7.9
Source: Janaganna, 2001

TABLE - 47 : Rich houses in numbers
Percentage of rich families of urban & rural areas in different states
State% of rich families% of rich families

in rural areas

in urban areas

Bihar

9.8

13.9

Jharkhand

9.8

18.6

Chattisgargh

9.6

16.3

Uttaranchal

36.1

24.3

Maharastra

26.8

36.0

Punjab

59.6

28.5

Tamil Nadu

26.8

26.8

W. Bengal

18.6

27.3

Orissa10.7

12.6
Source: NNSO 55th Round, 1999-2000[ 72 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 48 : Health
Infant Mortality Rate per thousand live births
State

Infant Mortality

Male to female death ratio

Bihar

62

0.8

Jharkhand

62

0.7

Chattisgargh

77

0.9

Uttaranchal

48

1.0

Maharastra

45

0.9

Punjab52

0.7

Tamil Nadu

49

0.8

W. Bengal

51

1.1

Orissa

91

1.0

India

66

0.9
Source: NRS Bulletin, 2003

TABLE - 49 : Delivery through trained person
Percentage of delivery through trained person(1998-99)
State

Percentage of delivery through trained person

Bihar

25.1

Jharkhand

17.8

Chattisgargh

32.4

Uttaranchal

35.1

Maharastra

59.4

Punjab

62.6

Tamil Nadu

83.8

W. Bengal

44.4

Orissa

33.5

India

42.3
Source: National Family Health service, 1998-99
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 73 ]TABLE - 50 : Expected Mortality rate
Percentage of expected mortality rate in different states, 2002
State

Mortality rate

Bihar

7.9

Jharkhand

7.9

Chattisgargh

8.7

Uttaranchal

6.4

Maharastra

7.3

Punjab

7.1

Tamil Nadu

7.7

W. Bengal

6.6

Orissa

9.8

India

8.1
Source: SRS, Bulletin 2003 Registrar general of India

TABLE - 51 : Commercial Loans
Revenue receipt per person
Revenue receipt per person (In Rs.) in different statesState

1990-91

1995-96

2000-01

2001-02

Bihar

500

793

1139

1231

Jharkhand

-

-

-

2264

U.P

597

971

1454

1540

Tamil Nadu

911

1783

2965

3015

Source: Handbook of Statistic on State Government Finance, 2004

TABLE - 52 : Revenue expenditure per person
Revenue expenditure per person (In Rs.) in different statesState

1990-91

1995-96

2000-01

2001-02

Bihar

566

909

1435

1516

Jharkhand

-

-

-

2229

U.P

686

1120

1823

1914

Tamil Nadu

1010

1835

3521

3471

Source: Handbook of Statistic on State Government Finance, 2004

[ 74 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 53 : Financial Investment of State Governments
Financial Investment of State Governments per person (In Rs.) in different states.
State

1990-91

1995-96

2000-01

2001-02

Bihar

154

103

260

279

Jharkhand

-

-

-

719

U.P

194

206

332

381

Tamil Nadu

175

273

435

525

Source: Handbook of Statistic on State Government Finance, 2004

TABLE - 54 : Expenditure on Social Services
Expenditure on Social Services (In %)State

1990-91

1995-96

2000-01

2001-02

Bihar

39.3

38.4

40.6

35.3

-

-

-

40.9

U.P

35.6

31.3

29.7

29.4

Tamil Nadu

44.2

39.7

35.8

35.6

Jharkhand

Source: Handbook of Statistic on State Government Finance, 2004

TABLE - 55 : Transfer of resource from Central Government
Support from Central Government (per 10 lakh person)
State

1990-91

1995-96

2000-01

2001-02

Bihar

9.3

10.8

10.7

15.0

Jharkhand

-

-

-

32.3

U.P

14.8

14.8

16.3

19.8

Tamil Nadu

10.4

13.2

13.2

22.1

Source: Handbook of Statistic on State Government Finance, 2004
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 75 ]TABLE - 56 : Per person gross financial loss
Financial loss (Rs. per person) 2001-02
State

Financial loss (Rs. per person)

Bihar

484

Jharkhand

610

Chattisgargh

510

Uttaranchal

500

Maharastra

1126

Punjab2041

Tamil Nadu

763

Orissa1080

W. Bengal

1471

India

940
Source: Handbook of Statistic on State Government Finance, 2004

[ 76 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

3.2. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES :3.2.1. BROWN AGENDA :3.2.1.1. Air Quality :Data on the ambient air quality over Patna are given in the table - 14 to 23 and 57
to 59. Wind direction data for different months of the year was obtained and a wind rose
diagram was prepared. The data on air quality included the parameters of SPM(Suspended Particulate Matter), SO 2 & NO X (NO + NO 2 ). The monthly mean values ofthese parameters indicating the level of air pollution was plotted for the years 199194. The Monitoring station was Beltron Bhawan, Bailey Road, where the dominant landuse is public/semi public buildings (residential complex with garden), Zoological Garden
and airport under overall category of built up land.
TABLE - 57
The National Ambient Air Quality Standareds set byCentral Pollution Control Board
SPM (µg/m 3)

SO 2 (µg/m 3)

NO x (µg/m 3)

CO (µg/m 3)

Industrial mixed

500

120

120

5000

Residential &

200

80

80

2000

100

30

30

1000

Zone

Rural Use
Sensitive Zones(Sancturies,
National Park,
Health Resort)
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 77 ]TABLE - 58
Ambient air quality data over Patna at Beltron Bhawan for theyear 1990-94
Year

Month

SPM (µg/m 3)

SO 2 (µg/m 3)

NO x (µg/m 3)

1

2

3

4

5

1990

May

272

NA

Na

June

295.9

NA

NA

July

167

Oct.

220.9

07.46

33.74

Dec.

231.3

11.62

37.69

Jan

257.83

8.85

38.53

Feb.

296.56

13.24

31.92

March

281.09

15.87

29.58

April

252.82

17.13

23.67

May

342.92

12.05

22.17

June

276.0

5.88

8.34

July

219

3.31

11.31

Aug.

220.99

20.29

26.36

Sept.

195.1

15.24

20.63

Oct.

NA

–

–

Nov.

189.26

13.94

22.40

Dec.

200

15.87

24.30

Jan.

231.67

17.11

29.66

Feb.

235.76

17.70

29.31

March

247.55

18.05

30.05

April

235.70

14.51

24.12

May

307.79

16.89

26.24

June

348.78

18.48

22.15

1991

1992

[ 78 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

1

1993

1994

2

3

4

5

July

225.23

7.53

11.08

Aug.

153.95

11.98

19.72

Sept.

178.78

13.86

21.38

Oct.

277.15

14.67

18.68

Nov.

336.00

13.7

16.9

Dec.

546

14.1

30.77

Jan.

387

8.1

13.9

Feb.

504

9.3

14.4

March

438

8.4

12.8

April

392

8.0

12.5

May

458

9.9

14.5

June

247

08.0

13.0

July

104.61

11.31

14.47

Aug.

90.98

8.71

16.10

Sept.

64.00

6.3

13.1

Oct.

131

11.5

18.3

Nov.

161

17.7

17.9

Dec.

343.5

21.1

28.5

Jan.

242

15.9

21.9

Feb.

277

15.6

21.3

March

231

15.4

21.4

April

313

14.0

19.3

May

292

11.4

20.4

June

194

09.3

16.2

July

101

7.1

20.8

Aug.

97.4

7.78

27.23

Sept.

161.87

13.15

35.33

Oct.

227.87

9.09

26.27

Nov.

214.12

12.11

31.85

Dec.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 79 ]TABLE - 59
StationMonth

SO 2 (µg/m 3)

NO x (µg/m 3)

N.G.Road

Nov., 1990

27.80

37.24

Hospital

Dec., 1990

27.10

37.66

Jan., 1991

28.17

39.36

Nov., 1990

38

30.72

Boring Canal
Road Crossing

The NO x and SO2 level in the air over the given category of landuse is well within theprescribed limits and there is nothing critical in this regard. The content of NO x & SO 2 in the
air show distinct monthly variation. The ambient air of Patna has higher values of NO x &SO 2 (peaks) in the post-monsoon to winter months (Oct. - Feb.) and lowest during monsoon
season (July-sept.). This obviously explains the role of rainfall in lowering the content ofthese gases. Of the two gases, the NO x content is higher than SO 2 and remains so for thewhole year.
The bulk of SO 2 in air over Patna is due to the plying of automobile on congested
roads, as there are few industries in the city that could be held accountable for contribution
of SO 2 . This gas is also contributed through the burning of coal as domestic fuel being
used by a sizeable chunk of the urban population. NO x is contributed through both, exhaustsof the automobiles as well as the plant cover in the city.
For control of automobile exhaust, State Transport Department, GoB has authorised
82 Emission Test Centres as on March, 2006.
The role of vegetal cover in this regard is exemplified by NO x values recorded at
PMCH, Boring Canal Road crossing, New Gardiner Road Hospital and Beltron Bhawan inOct. - Dec., 1990. Of the places mentioned above, PMCH area has got almost negligible
vegetal cover while Beltron Bhawan & New Gardiner Road Hospital areas have got higher
vegetal cover. The impact of automobile exhausts on NO x content is also clearly[ 80 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Boarddemonstrated by the comparison of air data recorded at aforesaid stations. The traffic
density at Boring Canal Road crossing & N.G. Road Hospital is higher than that at Beltron
Bhawan. One month observation (Oct., 1990) at PMCH is available. This hospital is locatedin the dense built up land category of the land use of Patna where the traffic density is highand traffic congestion is also high. At this place the value of SO 2 is higher than the otherobservation stations referred above for the same month of the same year. Though theaverage SO2 & NOx content at PMCH is below the tolerance limit, its maximum values exceed
the specified tolerance limits (30 µg/m 3) and hence the traffic congestion is hazardous forthe hospital patients.
The SPM value is by and large above the tolerance limits for a very large part of thecity. The principal sources of SPM are the automobile exhausts, road dust, exhausts of
D.G. sets, industrial units at patliputra & the large channel/sandbars of the Ganga & theSone, burning of coal by roadside tea shops and hotels, and burning of dry leaves garbage
etc. The SPM value remain high (over 230 µg/m 3) between January to June and fall below
200/µg/m 3 range between July to September and again start rising from October onward.
A perusal of rose diagrams showing monthly wind direction pattern & calm days withthe monthly variation Graph (Fig. 3, 4, 5 & 6)enclosed herewith distinctly establishes oneof the principal sources for SPM to be the sands from the river Ganga & Son which are to
the north, west & southwest of the city. During the rainy months of July, August and Sept. thedominant wind direction is from east, northeast & southeast and the river channels during
this period have by and large submerged channel bars. The dominant prevailing winddirection in the months are from west, northwest, southwest, northeast & east. The dry river
beds thus become source of SPM during these months. Boring Canal Road crossing inNovember, 1990 showed an abnormal high of 1213 µg/m 3 SPM and this certainly can be
attributed to high automobile traffic density along with contributions from channel bars of
the Son and the Ganga. The SPM value in PMCH is well above the tolerance limit. The air
quality observations at three localities in the campus of PMCH is given in Table - 52
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 81 ]

[ 82 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control BoardBihar State Pollution Control Board[ 83 ]

[ 84 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control BoardBihar State Pollution Control Board[ 85 ]TABLE - 60
Air quality data in PMCH campus
Sampling Point

SMP (µg/m 3)

SO 2 (µg/m 3)

NO x (µg/m 3)

Nearly 33 m from

24 hourly values

24 hourly

Min. 1.32

the southern bankare 399.53

min. 21.93

Max. 12.64

of the Ganga &Min. 324.5

Max. 34.76

Tolerance limit

33 m north of Ashok

max 547.8

Tolerance

30

Raj Path, 3 m a.g.l.

Tolerance

limit 30

limit 100Administrative Block

Min. 250.75

in the middle ofMin. 0.86

Min. 6.35

Max. 24.32

Max. 22.86

campus.

Max. 406.6

Ave. 9.11

Ave. 12.31

Eastern part ofMax. 581.63

Max. 30.34

Max. 30.34

PMCH

Min. 221.14

Min. 0.88

Min. 17.36

campus,Ave. 455.10

Ave. 13.34

Ave. 24.23

25 m south ofsouthern bank of
the Ganga

3.2.1.2. SEWAGE
Urbanisation is inherently linked with consumption of natural and manmade resources
and hence generation of solid, liquid and gaseous waste is a continuous and increasing
process. The discussion is confined to liquid and solid waste generation and a brief accountof its management.
Solid waste can be categorised into the following three types- (1) Municipal solid
waste, (2) commercial, industrial and construction demolition waste and (3) Street refuge.
The average solid waste generated in an Indian city is 0.33 kg/capita/day while the range
in Patna is 0.15 kg/capita/day to 0.38 kg/capita day. Assuming a popoulation of 15,00,000[ 86 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Boardthis city generates about 0.33 × 15,00,000 = 4,95,000 Kg solid waste per day. Atleast
50% of this is arenaceous and argillaceous material and rest are decomposable vegetable
matter, papers, metal pieces, glass and human and animal excreta etc. The waste is dumped
at various topographic low sites in the city, particularly in the southern and eastern partcharacterised by wet land.
The liquid waste is sewage and sullage
which flows through a network of open andunderground sewer lines into the Ganga
and the Punpun. Prior to 1936 the liquid
waste of the city used to flow directly into
the Ganga through open drains (Out falls)
at Kurji, Rajapur, Mandiri, Antaghat,
Krishnaghat & Mote. But in 1936 a sewage treatment plant at Saidpur in Central
Zone was built with a capacity to treat 2
MLD sewage and a small STP at Beur (Western Zone) was built in 1975 to treat the liquid
waste before releasing the same into the Ganga.
With the growth of urban area and consequent activities there was a need tostrengthen the existing STPs, increase the network of soil sewage lines and storm waterdrains. By late 80s, three STPs came into existence to treat the sewage and use of treatedsewage in irrigation.
The following information is available about various STPs.
1.

Central Zone with STP at Saidpur has present capacity to handle 45 MLD raw
sewage by Activated Sludge Process. The treated sewage flows through Rampur
drains into Barmutta Nala and finally may lead to the Punpun.

2.

Western Zone with STP at Beur has present capacity of 35 MLD raw sewage to betreated by Activated Sludge Process.

3.

Southern Zone with STP at Pahari has an installed capacity to handle 25 MLD raw
sewage by Activated Lagoon System. The treated sewage flows into the Punpun
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 87 ]

through Barmutta nala.
4.

Karmalichak STP for Eastern Zone
with capacity of 4 MLD by Oxidation
Pond Method is in the process of
installation.

Sewage Chemistry
The chemical aspect of raw sewage
and treated sewage at Saidpur STP isavailable for 1995-96 (Figure - 12). The analysis of data include pH, DO, TSS, TSVS, BOD
and COD. The averge pH of raw sewage range from 7.13-7.25 and that of treated sewage
range from 7.4-7.29. Average BOD range from 147-185 mg/ltr. While the same for treatedsewage varies from 12-30 mg/lter. Average Disolved Oxygen of untreated sewage is close
to 0.5 mg/L and treated sewage 2.81-4.0 mg/L.
The pH of raw sewage remains near neutral
to alkaline (below 8) but between July - Dec.,
1993 & 1996 a feeble rise in pH was observed
indicating a rise in alkalinity. The sewage
becomes slightly more alkaline in wettermonths.
Between July - Dec., 1993, 1995 & 1996 there
is a rise in COD. The same was observed
between January - March of 1994 & 1996. The DO of the treated sewage remained below
the optimum level of 5 mg/L. The COD of treated sewage at Saidpur hovers around 45-60
mg/L but after flowing through open drains which is fed by sludge & municipal refuge ofdense urban population of East and Central Patna it again rises close to 450 mg/L near
Agamkuan which is joined by another drain from Pahari.

[ 88 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 61
S.T.P. Pahari Patna(Final Effluent)

S.N. Date of Collection

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

1.

9-4-2003

38/28

9.94

24.6

26

176

864

430

48

2.

28-5-2003

36/30

8.7

15.4

30

140

1126

488

60

3.

14-7-2003

37/32

8.62

13.6

38

144

1024

38

51

4.

28-8-2003

32/28

7.16

10.8

24

80

802

104

37

5.

23-9-2003

32/28

9.42

19.6

26

88

708

96

36

6.

12-1-2004

16829

8.71

14

44

176

892

154

42

7.

12-6-2004

37/30

7.82

3.2

40

88

1442

144

50

8.

20-12-2004

18/18

8.8

10.6

45

88

986

184

54

9.

10-5-2005

40/23

8.48

-

32

80

1108

140

48

Limit

20

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

30[ 89 ]TABLE - 62
S.T.P. Saidpur Patna( Final Effluent)

S.N. Date of Collection

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

1.

9-4-2003

35/30

8.7

2.6

5.0

48.0

722

130

54

2.

28-5-2003

39/30

8.0

3.1

42

160

8.32

124

60

3.

14-7-2003

32/31

7.8

2.5

35

140

826

84

56

4.

28-8-2003

32/26

7.41

2.8

12

60

906

130

54

5.

23-9-2003

30/29

7.5

3.8

15

56

1934

84

54

6.

12-1-2004

14/21

7.46

2.8

32

180

1016

108

50

7.

10-2-2004

23/22

7.53

3.1

15

56

986

92

61

8.

12-6-2004

40/32

8.21

2.4

56

108

748

44

59

9.

10-7-2004

31/3

7.64

3.2

8.8

28

720

176

59

10.

20-12-2004

20/22

7.9

3.8

25.0

48

1126

1230

58

11.

10-5-2005

37/25

7.84

-

20

52

1010

130

56

Limit

[ 90 ]

20

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

30

TABLE - 63
S.T.P. Beur Patna(Final Effluent)
S.N. Date of Collection

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

1.

9-4-2003

38/28

9.94

1.0

4.5

40

1304

266

54

2.

28-5-2003

42/32

7.8

2.8

20

80

1296

218

60

3.

14-7-2003

33/30

7.38

2.0

14

60

928

56

49

4.

28-8-2003

34/29

7.42

0.8

18

80

838

236

40

5.

23-9-2003

33/28

7.6

2.8

12

52

1068

72

44

6.

12-1-2004

15/20

7.48

3.0

48

188

846

1444

50

7.

10-2-2004

19/18

7.43

-

25

80

918

126

53

8.

25-6-2004

37/30

7.54

2.0

26

64

968

116

56

9.

20-12-2004

17/18

7.7

3.4

42

84

1028

158

56

10.

10-5-2005

40/23

7.71

-

32

84

936

134

58

Limit

20

30

TABLE - 64
S.T.P. Bhagalpur(Final Effluent)
S.N. Date of Collection

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

1.

17-6-2003

32/28

8.5

-

6.0

24

1346

140

230

2.

27-4-2005

37/26

7.61

-

35

112

1046

134

278

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 91 ]TABLE - 65
S.T.P. Beur Patna(Raw Effluent)

S.N. Date of Collection

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

1.

28-8-2003

34/28

7.18

-

130

240

2468

404

42

2.

29-9-2003

33/27

7.33

-

52

112

2330

408

33

3.

12-1-2004

15/22

7.28

-

42

160

2384

160

48

4.

10-2-2004

19/18

7.08

-

215

856

3268

632

74

5.

25-6-2004

34/31

7.14

0.1

150

224

2420

230

65

6.

20-12-2004

17/18

7.8

-

130

252

2088

436

60

7.

10-5-2005

40/24

7.53

-

140

260

2008

332

63

[ 92 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 66
S.T.P. Pahari Patna(Raw Effluent)

S.N. Date of Collection

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

1.

28-8-2003

33/29

7.52

-

65

120

1086

282

12

2.

23-9-2003

32/27

7.4

-

75

136

1324

82

27

3.

12-1-2004

16/20

7.41

-

74

284

1894

204

35

4.

12-6-2004

36/32

7.52

1.0

90

192

486

102

20

5.

20-12-2004

18/19

7.83

-

115

224

1734

226

50

6.

10-5-2005

39/24

7.42

-

46

116

1684

202

50

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 93 ]TABLE - 67
S.T.P. Saidpur Patna(Raw Effluent)
S.N. Date of Collection

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

1.

28-8-2003

32/26

7.28

-

120

224

2044

386

56

2.

23-9-2003

30/28

7.4

-

90

192

2450

264

52

3.

12-1-2004

14/20

7.21

-

50

196

2348

282

48

4.

10-2-2004

23/21

7.02

3.1

45

184

2210

266

59

5.

10-7-2004

30/30

7.5

-

120

224

1128

266

58

6.

20-12-2005

20/21

7.0

-

120

244

2628

308

54

7.

10-5-2005

37/22

7.57

68

172

1986

234

66

TABLE - 68
S.T.P. Bhagalpur(Raw Effluent)
S.N. Date of Collection

1.

[ 94 ]

17-6-2003

Temp

pH

D.O.

BOD

COD

T.S.

TSS

Cl

A/W

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

mg/L

30/27

8.0

-

140

320

1676

160

220

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

3.2.2. GREEN AGENDA
3.2.2.1 FOREST
Vegetation - After the bifurcation of the state only 7% of the forest remains in Bihar.
Earlier Bihar had 17.3% forest cover. The population pressure is main cause of loss offorest cover. The farming is the main occupation of the plain. Bihar is rich in biodiversity
and the flood plains are potential areas of forest cover. Broadly, Bihar has monsoon type offorest, therefore, forest cover in Bihar can be divided into three major heads:
1. Dry deciduous Forest
2. Wet deciduous Forest, and
3. Sub Himalayan and Tarai Forest
1. Dry deciduous forest- This
type of forest is found in N.E region of
Kishanganj district and particularly inthe water logged area. Someshwar hillarea of the Kishanganj has also thistype of forest. There is very highdensity of forest. The major vegetation
type is Sal. Apart from Sal, Assan,
Semal, Ghaura, Caham,

Kend,

Mango, Jamun are the major
vegetation cover. Here the annual
rainfall is more than 120 cm.
2. Wet deciduous forest- This type of forest is found in those areas where theannual rainfall is less than 120 cm. They are not dense forest. The trees are widely spread.
In presence of clear sunlight, the area is suitable for farming. The average height of trees
are low. The region is also categorised in the open forest. This type of vegetation is foundin hills of Kanpur and north eastern slopes of Chotanagpur plateau. They are also found in
Rauxal, Purnia and Araria districts. The major vegetation type is Sal, Bamboo, Khair, Pal,
Shesham, Mahua and Kend. Bushes of Bair & Kenvad are also found.
3. Sub Himalayan and Tarai forest- Northern part of Bihar and boarder of Nepal
are full of this type of forest. The major area in which this type of forest are found are
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 95 ]

western Champaran (Showmeshwar), Purnia and Araria. Here there are high humidity andlow temperature due to height. The major vegetation type are sal, Tun, Oak, Pinl. This area
is sample evidence of the type of vegetation found in Sub Himalayan forest. Small bushes
like Sawana grass, bamboo, Merkat and Jhau are found in the southern part.
The growing demand of wood in the day-today life and in paper industries, thegovernment has launched comprehensive plan for plantation. Plantation of Bamboo,
Eucalyptus and Teak are top in the agenda. In order to protect wild life, the government has
notified reserved area. They are as follows:1.

Bhimbhand, Munger (Tiger, Tendua, Chital, Banaur saver, Nilgai)

2.

Rajgir, Rajgir (Kokar, Langoor, Deer, Nilgai, Cheeta)

3.

Valimikinagar Project Tiger, Champaran (water birds, Cheetal, Tiger, Tendua,
Crochodile, Para, Mrig, Baneur saver)

4.

Gautam Budh, Gaya (Tiger, Cheeta, Samber, Cheetal, Nilgaya, Beneur saver)5.

Kaiwar Jheel bird, Begusarai (various types Indian and migratory birds)

6.

Kusesar, Darbhanga (Siberian birds)

7.

Gogavilla, Katihar

8.

Perman Dolphin

Bihar needs 33% forest cover. Tarai belt, Southern plateau and river banks arepotential areas of forest. But the major problem in Bihar is river erosion. The social forestry
has also wider scope in Bihar. Large area of the flood plain is ideally suitable for forest.
Therefore, these area may be utilized for forest. The government has launched a programme
to plant trees along the roadside, open railway land and on barren land. The scope of these
forest is to meet the requirement of fossil fuel, fodder etc. Forest farming is also being
practised in Bihar. Farmers are encouraged to plant trees of Sal, Shesam, etc. in theirrepective barren land.
Due to low forest cover, the state is facing acute problem of rainfall, soil erosion, low
size of pure sowing land and above all decreasing wild life animals. The population of wildlife animal is shrinking at a phenomenal rate. Earlier, Gaya, Nawada, Munger, Jamui,
Sasaram, Kaimur, Purnia, Araria, Champaran, Darbhanga districts were having sufficientforest cover but at present these districts are almost devoid of forest cover. Districtwise
forest cover is shown in Table- 69. This has also resulted in air pollution. Therefore, there is
an immediate and urgent need to check deforestation and give thrust on plantation.
[ 96 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 69

Districtwise Forest Cover(Area in Sq.km)

Forest CoverDistrictGeographic

Very

Moderately

Open

Total

Percent

Area

Dense

Dense

ForestForestAraria

2830

0

14

14

28

0.99

Aurangabad

3305

0

46

100

146

4.42

Banka

3022

0

120

91

211

6.98

Begusarai

1918

0

3

3

6

0.31

Bhabhua

3381

0

544

550

1094

32.36

Bhagalpur

2567

0

12

7

19

0.74

Bhojpur

2390

0

7

1

8

0.33

Buxar

1708

0

8

4

12

0.70

Darbhanga
Gaya

2279
4976

0
0

5
119

6
463

11
582

0.48
11.70

Gopalganj

2033

0

0

0

0

0.00

Jamui

3107

9

392

256

657

21.15

& Arwal

1569

0

2

1

3

0.19

Katihar

3057

0

1

4

5

0.16

Khagaria

1486

0

2

1

3

0.20

Kishanganj

1884

0

1

8

9

0.48

Lakhisarai

1356

0

176

18

194

14.31

Madhepura

1788

0

6

4

10

0.56

Madhubani
Munger

3501
1347

0
43

10
201

4
18

14
262

0.40
19.45

Muzaffarpur

3172

0

2

2

4

0.13

Nalanda

2367

0

16

47

63

2.66

Nawada

2494

0

191

316

507

20.33

Jehanabad

Pashchimi
Champaran

5228

24

694

201

919

17.58

Patna

3202

0

7

8

15

0.47

Champaran

3968

0

9

1

10

0.25

Purnia

3229

0

4

11

15

0.46

Rohtas

3832

0

310

374

684

17.85

Saharsa
Samastipur

1680
2904

0
0

5
9

1
3

6
12

0.36
0.41

Saran

2641

0

7

4

11

0.42

Sheikhpura

612

0

1

0

1

0.16

Sheohar

572

0

1

0

1

0.17

Sitamarhi

2071

0

4

1

5

0.24

Siwan

2219

0

1

3

4

0.18

Supaul

2432

0

9

6

15

0.62

Vaishali

2036

0

12

0

12

0.59

Total

94,163

76

2,951

2,531

5,558

5.90

Purvi

(Source: State of Forest Report, 2003)
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 97 ]

3.2.2.2. BIODIVERSITY
Flora of Bihar
Erstwhile Bihar, lying close to the foot hills of Nepal and covering an area of 1,73,877 sq km, harbours
a very rich and diverse flora. Its unique phytogeographical position, topography and good precipitation
are some of the important factors which are mainly responsible for high degree of plant diversity. The
occurrence of different types of forests, ranging from subtropical to tropical and consequently theestablishment of three National Parks and twenty Wildlife sanctuaries in the state, which constitutean important source of germplasm, are of considerable interest. Although the state has been
botanically surveyed since 1848 and the Flora was published during 1921-1925 which included
Bihar, Orissa and parts of West Bengal, but the complete Flora of Bihar itself is not in hand.
Simultaneously, the natural vegetation since Haines’ publication has been continuously andincreasingly under pressure owing to developmental projects including mining activities and nonjudicious exploitation of plant resources. These reasons coupled with the publication of a number of
new plant records for the state warrant the need of fresh estimation of current status of floristic
account of the state.
The major families found in the areas are as follows:
1. Ranunculaceae. 2. Dilleniaceae. 3. Magnoliaceae. 4. Annonaceae. 5. Menispermaceae.
6. Berberidaceae. 7. Nymphaeaceae. 8. Nelumbonaceae. 9. Papaveraceae.
10. Fumariaceae.11.Brassicaceae. 12. Capparaceae. 13. Violaceae. 14. Bixaceae.
15. Cochlospermaceae. 16. Flacourtiaceae. 17. Pittosporaceae. 18. Polygalaceae.
19. Caryophyllaceae. 20. Portulacaceae. 21. Tamaricaceae. 22. Elatinaceae. 23. Hypericaceae.
24. Clusiaceae. 25. Theaceae. 26. Dipterocarpaceae. 27. Malvaceae. 28. Bombacaceae.
29. Sterculiaceae. 30. Tiliaceae. 31. Elaeocarpaceae. 32. Linaceae. 33. Erythroxylaceae.
34. Malpighiaceae. 35. Zygophyllaceae. 36. Geraniaceae. 37. Tropaeolaceae. 38. Oxalidaceae.
39. Averrhoaceae. 40. Balsaminaceae. 41. Rutaceae. 42. Simaroubaceae. 43. Balanitaceae.
44. Ochnaceae. 45. Burseraceae. 46. Meliaceae. 47. Olacaceae. 48. Opiliaceae. 49. Icacinaceae.
50. Aquifoliaceae. 51. Celastraceae. 52. Siphonodontaceae. 53. Hippocrateaceae. 54. Rhamnaceae.
55. Vitaceae. 56. Leeaceae. 57. Sapindaceae. 58. Sabiaceae. 59. Anacardiaceae. 60. Moringaceae.
61. Fabaceae. 62. Caesalpiniaceae. 63. Mimosaceae. 64. Rosaceae. 65. Vahliaceae.
66. Crassulaceae. 67. Droseraceae. 68. Haloragidaceae. 69. Callitrichaceae. 70. Rhizophoraceae.
71. Combretaceae. 72. Myrtaceae. 73. Lecythidaceae. 74. Melastomataceae. 75. Lythraceae.
76. Punicaceae. 77. Onagraceae. 78. Trapaceae. 79. Turneraceae. 80. Passifloraceae.
81. Caricaceae. 82. Cucurbitaceae. 83. Begoniaceae. 84. Cactaceae. 85. Aizoaceae.
[ 98 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

86. Molluginaceae. 87. Apiaceae. 88. Araliaceae. 89. Alangiaceae. 90. Rubiaceae. 91. Asteraceae.
92. Stylidiaceae. 93. Campanulaceae. 94. Lobeliaceae. 95. Sphenocleaceae. 96. Vacciniaceae.
97. Plumbaginaceae. 98. Primulaceae. 99. Myrsinaceae. 100. Theophrastaceae. 101. Sapotaceae.
102. Ebenaceae. 103. Symplocaceae. 104. Oleaceae. 105. Salvadoraceae. 106. Apocynaceae.
107. Asclepiadaceae. 108. Loganiaceae. 109. Buddlejaceae. 110. Gentianaceae.
111. Menyanthaceae. 112. Polemoniaceae. 113. Hydrophyllaceae. 114. Boraginaceae.
115. Convolvulaceae. 116. Cuscutaceae. 117. Solanaceae. 118. Scrophulariaceae.
119. Orobanchaceae. 120. Lentibulariaceae. 121. Gesneriaceae. 122. Bignoniaceae.
123. Pedaliaceae. 124. Acanthaceae. 125. Verbenaceae. 126. Lamiaceae. 127. Plantaginaceae.
128. Nyctaginaceae. 129. Amaranthaceae. 130. Chenopodiaceae. 131. Basellaceae.
132. Phytolaccaceae. 133. Polygonaceae. 134. Aristolochiaceae. 135. Piperaceae.
136. Lauraceae. 137. Proteaceae. 138. Loranthaceae. 139. Santalaceae.
140. Balanophoraceae. 141. Euphorbiaceae. 142. Urticaceae. 143. Ulmaceae.
144. Cannabaceae. 145. Moraceae. 146. Casuarinaceae. 147. Salicaceae.
148. Ceratophyllaceae. 149. Hydrocharitaceae. 150. Burmanniaceae. 151. Orchidaceae.
152. Zingiberaceae. 153. Costaceae. 154. Marantaceae. 155. Musaceae.
1 5 6 . St r e l i t z i a c e a e . 1 5 7 . C a n n a c e a e . 1 5 8 . B r o m e l i a c e a e . 1 5 9 . I r i d a c e a e .
1 6 0 . A m a r y l l i d a c e a e . 1 6 1 . H y p o x i d a c e a e . 1 6 2 . A g a v a c e a e . 1 6 3 . Ta c c a c e a e .
164. Dioscoreaceae. 165. Liliaceae. 166. Pontederiaceae. 167. Xyridaceae.
168. Commelinaceae. 169. Flagellariaceae. 170. Juncaceae. 171. Arecaceae.
172. Pandanaceae. 173. Cyclanthaceae. 174. Typhaceae. 175. Araceae. 176. Lemnaceae.
177. Alismataceae. 178. Limnocharitaceae. 179. Najadaceae. 180. Aponogetonaceae.
181. Potamogetonaceae. 182. Ruppiaceae. 183. Zannichelliaceae. 184. Eriocaulaceae.
185. Cyperaceae. 186. Poaceae.

Fauna of Bihar
The jungles of Bihar abound in wildlife, though some of the notable game animals andbirds like tiger, deer, buffalo, duck etc., are fast disappearing. In order to prevent theextinction of any species and to preserve them and maintain their balance with nature,
thirteen wildlife sanctuaries have been set up. Three sanctuaries are in northern fringe ofwest Champaran district. As a result of strict management and proper protection given to
wildlife, the present form has become much richer than the past and the difficult task ofwildlife resusciation and conservation has been greatly acheived, so that some of the rareanimals on the verge of extinction, such as elephant, gaur, etc., have considerably multiplied.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 99 ]

3.2.3. BLUE AGENDA
3.2.3.1. WATER AVAILABILITY & WATER STRESS
The water resources of the state is monitored through major, medium and minor irrigation
schemes. The surface water is managed through major and medium irrigation projects governedwith a network of canal system Viz; Son, Kosi, Gandak and Chandan-Badua river irrigation project,
whereas the minor irrigation is managed by river lift irrigation, deep tubewells, shallow tubewells,
dug wells, tanks and bamboo boring schemes. The irrigation potential created through thesesources till 1991 was 35.6 lakh hectares of which surface water irrigation was 26 lakh hectares
and ground water irrigation was 9.6 lakh hectares against the irrigation potential of about 122
lakh hectares so far estimated (65 lakh hectares
through surface water and 57 lakh hectares throughground water).
The water quality of major rivers of the state such
as Ganga, Ghaghra, Sone and Gandak are being
monitored. Annual average of some of the importantparameters for the years 2003-04 to 2005-06 ofthese rivers are presented in Table-70 to 72. It isevident from these results that parameters like pH,
DO and BOD are within the acceptable limits whereas, coliform countes exceeds prescribed
limits even for bathing purposes.
As reported by Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Bihar nine northeaster districts viz; kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Madhepura, Araria, Saharsa, Supaul, Khagaria& Begusarai are affected by excessive Iron while some of the districts nomely Gaya, Nawada,
Jamui & Munger are affected by excessive flouride. The 11 districts bordering Ganga are affectedby excess Arsenic content in drinking water sources. Excess nitrate in few habitations has also
been noticed, and (ii) ground water is used for drinking purposes and water is mainly drawn
through hand pumps.
The Plate No. 11 exhibits sourcewise irrigation through canal, deep tubewell, shallow
tubewells and bamboo borings on district base alongwith the command area of canal systems.
Distribution different types of wells in districts of Bihar is also presented at Table - 73.
[ 100 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

TABLE - 70
Year 2003-2004
Sl.

River

1.

Ganga

2.
3.
4.

GhaghraSone
GandakSampling
Stations(i) Baxur(ii) Patna U/S(iii) Patna D/S(iv) Mokama U/S(v) Mokama D/S
ChapraKoelwarSonepur

Annual Average Values of Parameters
pH
Value

D.O.
mg/L

BOD
mg/L

8.18
7.97
7.9
7.6
7.59
8.15
7.94
8.06

8.19
8.05
8.06
7.78
7.58
8.1
8.17
8.05

1.96
1.72
1.96
2.06
5.32
1.64
1.62
1.51

T.C.
MPN/100
mL
4240
1890
4870
4300
11600
1911
2420
1055

FC
MPN/100
mL
1360
920
1100
1225
2500
850
772
480

TABLE - 71
Year 2004-2005
Sl.

River

1.

Ganga

2.
3.
4.

GhaghraSone
GandakSampling
Stations(i) Baxur(ii) Patna U/S(iii) Patna D/S(iv) Mokama U/S(v) Mokama D/S
ChapraKoelwarSonepur

Annual Average Values of Parameters
pH
Value

D.O.
mg/L

BOD
mg/L

8.17
8.06
8.09
8.13
8.16
7.9
7.9
8.0

7.24
8.27
8.25
8.21
8.1
8.2
8.01
8.13

2.02
1.87
2.05
1.78
2.11
1.58
1.6
1.54

T.C.
MPN/100
mL
12022
6475
13066
1900
5916
1236
1044
1038

FC
MPN/100
mL
2911
1544
5100
1039
1550
687
523
532

TABLE - 72
Year 2005-2006
Sl.

River

1.

Ganga

2.
3.
4.

GhaghraSone
GandakSampling
Stations(i) Baxur(ii) Patna U/S(iii) Patna D/S(iv) Mokama U/S(v) Mokama D/S(vi) Munger(vii) Bhagalpur(viii) Kahalgaon
ChapraKoelwarSonepur

Annual Average Values of Parameters
pH
Value

D.O.
mg/L

BOD
mg/L

8.14
8.04
8.08
7.95
8.02
8.03
7.83
7.92
7.96
7.90
7.94

8.04
8.30
8.25
8.00
7.90
8.20
8.20
8.08
8.02
7.90
8.01

2.13
2.04
2.20
2.06
2.30
1.90
2.06
2.14
1.83
1.80
1.70

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

T.C.
MPN/100
mL
18133
19892
38292
14540
45000
10133
15900
22875
3708
7542
4100

FC
MPN/100
mL
7883
7517
10458
7310
15900
5400
7700
9733
1867
3525
1948

[ 101 ]TABLE - 73
DISTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF WELLSDistricts

No. ofDug wells
2

No.of
STW
3

No. of
DTW
4

No. of bamboo
boring5

Aurangabad

12822

19124

191

-

Bhagalpur & Banka

11197

10634

213

6411

Vaishali

2702

23608

120

1189

Bhojpur

6951

25306

364

1329

Begusarai

95

25524

309

1961

Purbi Champaran

125

26663

259

779

Paschim Champaran

67

15622

107

2180

Darbhanga

11

10,045

244

1846

Gaya

24394

17790

122

-

GopalGanj

2810

17751

83

2377

Khagaria

14

3168

149

8300

Katihar

-

11270

76

12565

670

36651

687

1174

12589

16303

799

920

Madhepura

3

17040

17

31616

Madhubani

18

14276

203

133

Nawada

6893

11443

328

1934

Nalanda

19965

11267

224

-

Patna

11730

25230

492

1363

Purnia

-

2376

6

33682

Sitamarhi

87

21732

281

2398

Jehanabad

8147

17690

256

-

Kishanganj

-

2378

6

-

Araria

-

2378

22

-

Rohtas & Bhabua

31597

28811

193

-

Saran

7876

27274

274

-

Siwan

8273

26531

77

1968

Samastipur

146

29816

203

2011

Saharsa & Supaul

7059

21771

21

13806

1

Muzaffarpur
Munger & Jamui[ 102 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

3.2.3.2. Water Stress
Area irrigated by different sources, districtwise is presented in Table - 74
TABLE- 74
District wise area Irrigatedby Different sources (in hectare)
Districts

Canal

Tank

Tube
Well

Dug
Well

R.L.I.

Other
Sources

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Aurangabad123946

-

18614

3655

-

50964

Bhagalpur & Banka

144645

15346

43983

5615

188

48330

Bhojpur

221284

13763

52745

5289

-

28431

-

28

61851

1736

-

616

Purbi Champaran

64359

3211

47837

7700

2743

9530

Paschim Champaran

112179

3264

7741

6851

-

27353

-

6840

29169

-

215

5674

Gaya & Jehanabad

26469

10274

75342

10547

-

102404

Gopalganj

60692

1909

39423

2219

-

542

Khagaria

-

-

30643

6714

-

9517

Katihar

7731

449

43343

-

-

10308

Muzaffarpur

15523

2053

69564

241

-

8414

Munger & Jamui

56553

4917

44913

6561

-

26362

Madhepura

43284

-

30558

-

-

2199

Madhubani

7217

12939

2779

37

1706

12296

Nawada

9306

289

23519

1630

-

99400

Begusarai

Darbhanga

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 103 ]

1

3

4

5

-

6017

111881

4597

-

82186

Patna

43175

6235

75819

2784

2984

38038

Purnia, Araria &

81207

54

49676

-

5

7959

Rohtas & Bhabua

372883

8047

56921

2363

-

41678

Saran

15921

2400

-

9459

Samastipur

-

1472

72185

882

-

2357

Saharsa &

45297

4042

31604

332

-

131155

Sitamarhi

-

6250

15147

4798

-

28854

Vaishali

-

-

31007

1018

8790

15367

Jehanabad

12317

4432

28188

4917

-

76201

Siwan

19019

2124

81933

2313

-

3899

Total

15,29,647

1,44,721

12,80,145

1,32,357

1,00,950

8,47,156

Nalanda2

6

7

Kishanganj

SupaulThe canals and tubewells are the two major sources of irrigation in the state. The
tubewells share 31 per cent of the total irrigated area whereas the canals share 38 percent. The dug wells, river, lift Irrigation and other sources have contributed 3.2%, 3.5%
2.5% and 20.9% respectively. The map of Bihar showing stress aspect in groundwater
utilisation is shown in Plate No. 12.
The Sone river project irrigates mainly parts of Bhabhua, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Jehanabad,
Aurangabad and Patna districts, the Gandak river project irrigates mainly the parts of Purbi
and Paschim Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran districts. The Kosi riverproject irrigates parts of Saharsa, Araria, Madhepura, Purnia and Katihar districts whereas
the Chandan - Badua irrigates Jamuai, Banka, Munger and Bhagalpur districts.
The water logged area mainly falls in the Gandak and Kosi basins.
[ 104 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

3.3

ACTIVITIES (D = DRIVING FORCE) :3.3.1. Geogenic :(A)land Erosion & Soil Pedogenesis
The data on land use classification including areas effected by soil erosion and landdegraded are summarised in Table - 75 to 77.
TABLE - 75 : Districtwise Area Effected with Soil Erosion
Sl. No.

Name of Distt.

Area effected by
Soil erosion (000 ha)

1.

Bhagalpur (Banka + Bhagalpur)

100

2.

Munger (Jamui + Munger)

120

3.

Nawada

64

4.

Gaya

90

5.

Aurangabad

50

6.

Rohtas (Sasaram + Kaimur)

119
543
or
5.43 Lakh ha.

( S o u r c e : D i r e c t o r S o i l c o n s e r v a t i o n , B i h a r, P a t n a . R e f e r e n c e L e t t e r N o .
A/N.I.S.-/Tech/38/93-92-854/L.S. dt 15-10-2004.)
TABLE - 76 : Land Use Classification of Bihar(Unit in Lakh ha)
Total Geographical Area : –

93.00

i.

Forest6.16

ii.

Barren and Non-Cultivable Land

4.37

iii.

Land put to Non Agricultural Uses

16.38

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 105 ]

iv.

Culturable wasteland

0.46

v.

Parmanent Pasture Grazing land

0.18

vi.

Miscillaneous crops & Groved

2.31

vii.

Other fallow (2 to 5 tears)

1.39

viii.

Current fallow

5.67

ix.

Net area sown

56.68

x.

Total cropped area

79.95

xi.

Area sown more than once

23.27

(Source : Directorate of Statistics & Evaluation, Bihar, Patna, 2002)
TABLE - 77 : Status of Land Degradation in Bihar
Sl. No.

Nature of Problem

Area (Lakh hect)

1.

Soil Erosion

5.43

2.

Saline-Alkaline

3.00

3.

Water logged Marshy

9.41

land a chaur land
4.

Mining & Quarries-

5.

Tal Land1.06

6.

Diara Land

11.56

Pedogenesis : The characteristics of the chronoassociations indicatethat decalcification, translocation of clay, sesquioxides and organic matters, plasma
separation and weathering of minerals are the active pedogenic process. Fivechronoassociations, representing different stages of pedogensis are identified andcorrelated with the five age groups in the ten morphostratigraphic units of the region.
[ 106 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

Member

Soil Geomarphic Unit

QG1

Flood plains of Gandak, Ghaghra and Ganga

GG2

younger Gandak plain

QG3

Older Gandak plain

QG4

Oldest Gandak plain

QG5

Old Ghaghra plain, Ganga and Ghaghra interfluve
PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMESHORT TERM PREPARATORY PHASE -PILOT PROJECTS (2002-2007)

1.

North-East wards sodic soil Sub-Humid region –In Bihar the degraded areas suffer due to poor irrigation practices in the commandareas of Koel and Gandak canal systems. Sodification has taken place damaging physicalconditions (Soil structure) and chemical properties of Soil. Considerable areas have been
rendered unclultivated. A world Bank project in some areas of Gandak Command has given
good results of community managed reclamation and sustainable use of degraded land
resources. The treatment include compartment building, application of soil ammendments
by gypsum and physites & pudding, horizonatal drainage through community managed
surface drains and vertical drainage through net work of shallow tube wells. Rice-wheat
rotation is practised. During summer months cultivation of vegetables and pulses with tube
well irrigation brings sub surface water on ground which is lost through evapotranspiration,
increasing the soil profile storage capacity. Treatment is necessary with technology
refinement to reduce the cost, so that entire degraded lands should be treated to check
further sodification of adjoining lands. A provisional estimate of Rs. 20,000/- per Ha is
assessed.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 107 ]

2.

Drainage congestion water logged sub Humid region
There is considerable drainage congestion areas in the Himalayan foot hills regionsin the Canal systems of Kosi & Gandak. Due to drainage congestion, there is water logging.
This area can not be drained because of non-availability of out fall due to sand casting andsilt deposits. Water logging is a great health hazard like malaria in human beings and liver
fluke and foot & mouth diseases in live stock. Movebility & transport are also adversely
affected. The combined effect is, shortage of food, malnutrion, health hazards andenvironmental degradation. Technology like desilting and construction of village ponds withfish culture are being introduced.
A.

Flood :
Bihar has always been a worst victim of flood, particularly the areas north of Ganga.

Though some mesores to check the menance through Bandh & channels dames have beentaken but they are still proving for less than adequate. If properly addressed, the tract ofBihar is full of econmomic possibilities.
B.

Seismicity :Bihar being close to sesmically active Himalayas is prone to sesmic hazards whichhave in past caused immense loss of lives and property mainly due to damage of structures.
If due care of earthquake proof designs are practised, this would, to a large extent, mitigate
this hazard.
Various thematic maps showing the earthquake zones, multihazard zonation and floodzone demarcation are listed as Plate No. 13, 14 & 15. The damages caused due to floods
in terms of crop damage, public property damage and houses and infrastructural damage
are shown in the following Fig. 8, 9, 10.
[ 108 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control BoardBihar State Pollution Control Board[ 109 ]

Value of House
Damage ( Million
Rs. )Value of Public
Property Damage (Million Rs. )Estd. Value of Crop
Damage (Million Rs)

DAMAGE

0

100

184.1

200

103.5

300

400

Flood Damages 2003

500

600

700

626.6

Fig. - 8

[ 110 ]Damage to infrastructure (Rs. lakh)

Bihar State Pollution Control Board
106
0
7.8
3

.04

.09

.7

927
8

203
8

103
5

.57

565

80000

2002-2003

.86

66

218
3

151
.

304
0

0.7
5

93

139
.

00

133
482

1600002001-2002

2000-2001

1999-2000

1998-99

1997-98

1996-97

1995-96

1994-95

1993-94

1992-93

27

182
.

40000

1991-92

83.
7

20000

1990-91

1989-90

177
573

19
89
-9
19 0
90
-9
19 1
91
-9
19 2
92
-9
19 3
93
-9
19 4
94
-9
19 5
95
-9
19 6
96
-9
19 7
97
-9
19 8
9
19 8-9
9
99
-2
20 00
00 0
-2
20 00
01 1
-2
20 00
02 2
-2
00
3

Value in Rs. CroresFig. - 9

Crop Loss due to Floods

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Year

Damage to Infrastructure due to Floods

18000014000012000010000060000

0Fig. - 10

Value of House damage due to Floods
526.21

2001-2002

173.58148.56
53.84
55.03
30.56
14.95
75.1
4.97
88.14
0.16
6.13
1.6
1.6

Year

1998-99
1995-96
1992-93
1989-90

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Value in Rs. Crore

Area affected due to floods

30
25
20
15
10
5

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

2002-2003

2001-2002

2000-2001

1999-2000

1998-99

1997-98

1996-97

1995-96

1994-95

1993-94

1992-93

1991-92

1990-91

1989-9020Area affected (lakhhectares)[ 111 ]

3.3.2. ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITY(A)

URBANIZATION
Bihar is the second densely populated state in the country, despite being the least

urbanized.
But more interestingly in Bihar we see a reversal of the trend of fast risingurbanization, seen not only in the rest of the country, but also the entire developingworld. More significantly there seems to be a reverse flow in the last decade with urban
Bihar actually contracting from 11.4 million in 1991 to 8.7 million in 2001, a decrease of
23.6% though the State’s decennial
population growth rate of 28.4% wasamong the highest in the country. No
Other state in India has had a decreasein urbanization.One reason for this has
to be the “loss” of Jharkhand with large
towns like Ranchi, Dhanbad andHazaribagh and with the urbanizedpopulation accounting for 6 million of its 26.9 million. Even after factoring Jharkhand backinto Bihar, the level of urbanization in 2001 was 13.19%, which is marginally less than what
it was (13.38%) in 1991. If we were to assume that the industrial towns of Ranchi, Dhanbad
and Jamshedpur now in Jharkhand grew faster, then quite clearly urban growth in thetruncated Bihar has been negative. Further evidence of a distinct trend against urbanizationin Bihar seen in the fact that from among the principal cities in India, Patna has registered
the lowest growth (19.7%) in the decade 1981-91.

[ 112 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control BoardIt is generally well known that the sections most likely to migrate from rural areas are
the economically weakest sections, mostly landless labour, and educated youth. The firstfind employment mostly in the construction sector, which largely requires unskilled labour.
The educated youth particularly those with vocational training and technical education
gravitate towards industrial centers.
In addition to the low industrialization of truncated Bihar, there is little by way of urban
construction or renewal in Bihar.
THE BIHAR URBAN SCENARIO
The density of population in Bihar is 880 per square km, whereas the corresponding
All-India figure is 324 per square km, yet in terms ofurbanization Bihar has the least number of people
living in towns with just 15.2% residing there ascompared to 28.8% in the rest of the country eventhan Bihar does not find better education and healthfacilities in the urban areas. This is seen from thefact that Bihari students migrate in large numbers toother states for education. It would be pertinent tonote that the per capita investment in education in
Bihar is only Rs. 484.1 and per capita investment inhealth is only Rs. 86.2, whereas the corresponding
All-India per capita figures for education is Rs. 586.8 and health is Rs. 157.2.
Till 1991 in terms of basic urban facilities like safe drinking water and electricity
availability Bihar was the worst off among all states.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 113 ]

B. INDUSTRIALISATION

Industrial Incentive Policy, Bihar - 2006
Under the State Reorganisation Act, the bifurcation of the State of Bihar became
effective from the 15th of November, 2000. A large number of medium/ large industries,
minerals as well as mineral based units and important forest produce have gone to the
newly created Jharkhand State. However, the large and medium sector of industries
comprises suger mills, distilleries, oil refinery, thermal power plant, cigarette manufacturing,cement, tannery, foundries etc., are located in the state.
There are nine suger mills presently under operation and located in north Bihar area.
All the sugar mills have proper arrangement to treat their waste. All the distillaries of thestate are having effective effluent treatment plants and generating methane gas byanaerobic treatment of the waste. The methane gas so produced is used as fuel in theirboilers conserving fossil fuels. The other major units of the state like Barauni refinery,
thermal power plant at Kahalgaon, cigarette manufacturing unit at Munger etc., are also
equipped with pollution control devices.
For sustainable industrial state it is imperative that truncated Bihar adopts a resurgent
industrial policy. Based upon the raw materials and resources available in Bihar, a renewed
effort has to be made to establish small/medium and large industries as well as torehabilitate the sick and ailing industries of the State.As a result the State of Bihar has reviewed
its earlier industrial policy of 2003 and came up with Industrial Incentive Policy 2006 with an objective for abalanced industrial growth in the state. The Industrial Incentive Policy, 2006 is reproduced below:

Resolution
SUBJECT:INCENTIVE POLICY-2006 FOR ACCELERATED
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH OF THE STATE.

Today there is a requirement to provide a new industrialized shape full of industries
to Bihar State. There is a need to establish new industries and to revive the sick and closed
units of the state. For this purpose favorable environment should be created to attract theinvestors of state and from abroad. In this connection the Industrial Policy - 2003 has been
[ 114 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

reviewed. After reviewing the policy, a decision has been taken to prepare a new industrial
policy in the present circumstances so that there may be a balanced industrial growth in
the state.
In the light of the aforesaid facts a new Industrial Incentive Policy - 2006 has been
prepared in consultation with Bihar Industries Association, Bihar Chamber of Commerce,
Confederation of Indian Industry and all concerned Government Departments. In the
preparation of this policy the Industrial policies of different states have been kept in view.
Under this Industrial Incentive Policy- 2006 there are provisions for granting
preproduction incentive of subsidy/exemption from stamp duty and registration fee andpost production incentive of grant/exemption for preparation of project reports, purchaseof land/shed, technical know-how, captive power generation/diesel generating set, quality
certificate. Vat, luxury tax, electricity duty, conversion fee, market fee etc.
With the implementation of this Industrial Incentive Policy- 2006, it is expected that there
will be growth in the per capita income of the state and industrial growth as well as
accelerated employment opportunities.

1.2 STRATEGY(i)

To create favorable circumstances in order to establish industries in the Stateso that among the investors, there may be positive communication.

(ii)

Bihar Single Window Clearance Act - 2006 To promote all round development of the state and industrial growth rapid
clearance procedures for establishing industries, to issue license andcertificates, to provide a congenial atmosphere to the investors of Bihar stateand in this regard and for other concerned subjects Bihar Single Window
Clearance Act - 2006 has been enacted.

(iii)

Bihar Infrastructure Development Enabling Act- 2006 –To provide for rapid development of physical and social infrastructure in theState and to attract private sector participation and to provide for acomprehensive legislation for designing, financing, construction, operation,
maintenance of infrastructure projects, so that administrative and proceduraldelays are reduced, for identifying generic project risks, Bihar Infrastructure
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 115 ]

Development Enabling Act, 2006 has been enacted.
(iv)

In order to simplify the inspection of factories, provision of self-certification
will be made.

(v)

Industrial growth is adversely affected due to the complicated labour laws.Suchlabour laws will be made simple and development oriented.

(vi)

Human resources will be developed in such a way, which can promote andcreate industrialization of high degree. Besides existing different institutions
will be strengthened to improve skill.

(vii)

Land Bank- To meet the requirement of land for industries and development
schemes, Land Bank will be established in the state. By this Bank, Land will
be made available according to the requirements to different industries andfor development schemes.

(viii) Marketing arrangements will be made for small, tiny, cottage industries,
handloom and handicraft.
(ix)

For the creation of the basic facilities of international level, to enhance capital
investment in the industrial areas and invite the private sector for investment
and to encourage public private partnership for this purpose.

(x)

Development of Infrastructure.

(xi)

In order to revive sick units, to identify such units and to suggest necessary
remedial measures and to prevent sickness by developing a district levelmonitoring system.

(xii)

To develop handicraft, handloom, khadi, silk and village industries.

Incentives/exemption facilities for Industries in Bihar to accelerate
Industrial development and to attract investments.
1.

PRE - PRODUCTION INCENTIVES
Stamp duty and Registration fee:Tiny, small, medium and large scale industries which are to be established in theindustrial area / shed and outside the area of the Authority will enjoy the full (100%)
exemption in stamp duty and registration fee in lease / sale / transfer. This facility
will be granted only for the first time and thereafter will not be granted.

[ 116 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

2.

POST-PRODUCTION INCENTIVES(i)

Project- Report Incentive:
Reimbursement of the cost incurred in the project report preparation by theindustrial units at the rate of 50% subject to a maximum of Rs.75,000/- will bemade available provided, the project report is prepared by any of the firms
recognised by the Industry Department. The reimbursement will be made to
the unit after commencement of the production.

(ii)

Incentive granted on land/Shed:
The Industrial Units located in Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority /Export Promotion Industrial Park / Food Park / Agri Export Zone would be
eligible for the following incentive / subsidy. These facilities / concession to
the industrial units will be made available only after the commencement of
production.

Sl. No.

Industry

Grant

1.

Small/Tiny units/Financial Limit.

50% or 7.50 lacs
(Maximum)

2.

(iii)

All large/medium/mega units/Financial

25% or 15 lacs

Units

(Maximum)

Financial assistance for Technical-know-how:
If an entrepreneur obtains Technical Know-how from any recognised National
research center / laboratory or institution to establish or to expand his industry,
he will be reimbursed 30% (maximum Rs. 15.00 lacks) of the fee paid to theinstitution/organization for the technical know-how. This facility will be provided
to the unit after commencement of production.

(iv)

Incentive Grant for capital investment on Captive Power Generation/
Diesel Generating Set:
50% (Fifty percent) of the amount Spent on plant and machinery in theestablishment of Captive Power Generation/Diesel Generating set will be
granted to the industry. No upper limit for this amount has been fixed. Thisfacility will be made available after the unit comes into production.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 117 ]

(v)New industrial units will be granted relief from payment of electricity duty underthe Bihar Electricity Duty Act, 1948 for the generation and for own consumptionof electricity from D.G. Set and Captive Power Units.

(vi)

Subsidy / Incentive on VAT:
This facility will be available to Small / large / medium industries. The industrial
unit will get a passbook from the State Government in which the details of thetax paid under Bihar VAT would be entered and verified by the commercial
Taxes Department in the form prescribed in Appendix - III. The Director,
Industries will be authorised to pay the incentive amount on the basis of theverification.
The new Units will avail 80% reimbursement against the admitted VAT amountdeposited in the account of the Government, for a period of ten years. The
maximum Subsidy amount is payable 300% of the capital Invested.

Clarification: The incentive would not be payable on the amounts imposed as penalty
and the difference of amount between tax assessed and accepted under
the Central Sales Tax/Bihar Value Added Tax Act, 2005 and Bihar Entry
Tax Act.
(vii)

Zero VAT:
Zero VAT means the production of items, which do not attract VAT. Such units
which produce items attracting zero Vat and Pay income tax would be eligible
for incentive upto a maximum utilization of 70% of the installed capacity(maximum limit) as per para (vi) above. Incentive will be payable after theinspection/recommendation by a committee constituted under thechairmanship of the Director Industries on the basis of inspection andrecommendation by technical officer of the Department.

(viii) Besides aforesaid subsidy / concessions, the following exemptions will
be provided:a. 100% exemption for seven years in luxury tax for seven years
b. 100% exemption in electricity duty for seven years.
c. 100% exemption in conversion charge.
d. 100% exemption in market Fee for seven years.
[ 118 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

(ix)Facilities granted for the units working under adverse situation:
Such working units which have been working under adverse situation for years
will be reimbursed 25 percent of the deposited VAT amount in the account ofstate government against admitted VAT amount. This reimbursement will be
admissible for five years continuously.

(x)

Industrial Rehabilitation Fund:
In order to revive the sick and closed industry, with the co-operation of theCommercial Banks, the State Government and Bihar Industry Association, a
corpus fund will be created.

(xi)

S.C / S.T / Women / Handicapped:
a. Under this category, entrepreneurs will avail 5% additional grant/exemption/
subsidy than the limit fixed under this policy.
b. Up to a turnover limit of Rs.30 lakhs per annum S.C / S.T. / Women /Handicapped category entrepreneurs who run small and tiny industries willavail 100% subsidy of the deposited amount in the account of Government
in the form of VAT for a period of ten years.

(xii)

Exemption from AMG / MMG:
Working units at present and new units will avail exemption from AMG / MMG
from the date of declaration of the New Industrial Policy. This facility will be
granted for five years.

(xiii) Central Sales Tax (CST):
Only 1% CST will be payable on the items produced by the registered small
and medium units in Bihar.

3.

INDUSTRIAL SICKNESS:

3.1

Rehabilitation of Sick Units
Industrial sickness is a part of the process of industrialization. It leads tounemployment, blockage of capital, loss of state revenue and non-utilisation of assets.
Hence it is necessary to take proper steps in order to rehabilitate the sick industries.
As such govt. is concerned about this and would take the following steps to stem
sickness and revive sick industries.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 119 ]

3.2

Small Sector(i)State Level Committee: For the rehabilitation of small industry a State Level
Committee under the chairmanship of Director of Industries will be constituted.
Its members comprise representatives from the banks, financial institutions,
Reserve Bank of India, Industries Association, experts and Government.

(ii)

The above committee would be empowered with necessary statutory powers
in order to rehabilitate the sick industry so that approved rehabilitation package
may be implemented effectively.

(iii)

The guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India / IDBI / SIDBI would be relied
upon to identify sickness in sick and small units. Appropriate rehabilitation
package would be approved for their rehabilitation.

(iv)

The sick industries being revived will not require sickness certificate on anannual basis, instead the revival package shall specify the period of revival ofsick units.

(v)

The industry declared sick by the State Level Committee would be eligible toreceive reliefs and concessions from banks and financial institution as per
instructions of RBI. These concessions and reliefs will be considered to begiven within a definite time frame.

(vi)

After the identification of sickness within a prescribed time frame therehabilitation package would be prepared and the state level institutions would
monitor the sick industries and their rehabilitation.

(vii)

Those sick and closed units which have availed the benefits of any Industrial
Policy in the past can avail even second time the facilities under this policy. If
any sick or closed unit wants to avail the benefits under the Industrial Policy
for the second time it will avail only the difference between the prior availed
amount and the proposed amount under new policy. But this facility forrehabilitation to the unit will be made available only on the recommendation of
the concerned committee constituted by the State Government. Such facility
to the unit can be made available maximum of two times only.

(viii) Facility provided to the sick and closed units:
Exemptions from Annual Minimum Guarantee (AMG), Monthly Minimum[ 120 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

Guarantee (MMG) and Delayed Payment Surcharge (DPS) would be available
to the unit from the date of declaration of the unit as a sick unit. This facility
would be admissible for a period of five years.
3.3

Sickness in Medium and Large Industries:(i)

A committee would be constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary Industry
to explore the possibility and determine remedies for the revival of medium
and large scale industries and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUS) which aresick and not referred to the BIFR and have a potential for revival. The
recommendations of the above committee detailing the reliefs and concessions
shall be placed for approval before the highpowered committee existing under
the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.

(ii)

The rehabilitation package envisaged by BIFR /IRB I/BICICO /BSFC /Bankand state level inter institutional committee shall be placed before thecommittee under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Industry for consideration
and recommendation of Government.

(iii)

Sick Industry means such industry, which has been registered by the Board
for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR).

(iv)

Decision regarding closed industrial units shall be taken by a State Level
Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary Industries
Department.

(v)

Those sick and closed units which have availed the benefits of any Industrial
Policy in the past can avail even second time the facilities under this policy. If
any sick or closed unit wants to avail the benefits under the Industrial Policy
for the second time it will avail only the difference between the prior availed
amount and the proposed amount under new policy. But this facility forrehabilitation to the unit will be made available only on the recommendation of
the concerned committee constituted by the State Government. Such facility
to the unit can be made available maximum of two times only.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 121 ]

(vi)Facilities to sick and closed units:
Exemption of Annual Minimum Guarantee (AMG), Monthly Minimum Guarantee(MMG) and delayed payment surcharge to the unit will be granted from thedate of declaration of unit as a sick unit. This facility will be available for five
years.

4.

FACILITIES FOR EXPANSION-DIVERSIFICATION AND MODERNISATION OF
UNIT:
Those units undergoing Expansion/Diversification/Modernisation will be eligible forincentives, upon their incremental production as described in Para 2.

5.

INCENTIVE ON QUALITY CERTIFICATION:
75% of cost incurred in obtaining certificate of I.S.O. standard (or equivalent) from
reputed national/international level organizations, would be reimbursed by the State
Government.

6.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MISSION:

6.1

The State Government would launch an I.T Mission for the development of Information
Technology Industries with the following objectives:

6.2

(i)

Economic Development.

(ii)

Human Resource Development(iii)

To provide simple, effective and transparent administration.

(iv)

State of the Art Communication System

The State Government will provide the following relief / incentive to the Information
Technology Sector for its rapid development.
It has been observed that several rules and regulations applicable to industry neednot be required for the I.T. industry. As such, there would be a provision of
selfcertification and software units would be exempted from the following:[ 122 ]

(i)

Pollution Control Act to be effective only as per Govt. of India guidelines.

(ii)

Legal Power Cuts.

(iii)

Zoning Regulations in respect of location.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board

The following exemptions under the relevant Acts will be applicable to the
I.T industries:(i)

The I.T. Industry will be added in schedule-1 of the Bihar Shops andEstablishment Act 1953 and concessions under sections 7,8 and 12 (I) shallbe extended to it. By this the industry would be given exemption from theprovisions relating to the hours of business and weekly closure.

(ii)

The hours of work for women employees would be relaxed under section 66 of
the factories Act, 1948. Accordingly for I.T. establishments, Women would be
able to work between 5 Am and 10 Pm instead of 6Am to 7 Pm in such
establishments.

(iii)

I.T industry will be provided with exemptions under section 87 of the Employees
State Insurance Act 1948.

(iv)

The information Technology industry will be added as an independent
employment in the schedule of minimum wages Act 1948 so that the workers
may be classified separately.

6.3

Information Technology and Biotechnology industries established in the state would
qualify for the incentives under para-2 of the policy. All incentives applicable toindustries would also be automatically available to I.T. and Biotechnology Industry.

6.4

The Industry Department will promote Biotechnology and Information Technology onpriority basis in industrial areas.

7.

HANDLOOM SECTOR:(i)

Electricity Tariff- In view of the state powerloom to be competitive with thepower loom sector of other states, there will be a provision of electricity grantof 75 paise per unit of in electricity tariff.

(ii)

Quality power supply will be made available for powerlooms.

(iii)

Workshop-cum-residence scheme for weavers- In weavers dominated area,
scheme of construction of common facility centre and in case weavers do nothave the room, land, construction of Government shed would be implemented.
All the facilities available under Cluster Development Programme would beavailable to weavers. Arrangements for training under the scheme would bemade.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 123 ]

(iv)

Establishment of Integrated Textile Park- Textile Park will be established in
the State. By this improvement and design, quality up-gradation and assistancein marketing would be available to the weavers.

(v)

Establishment of Urban Haat (market)- An Urban Haat will be established in
Patna where there will be provision for sale of the handloom and handicraft
products.

(vi)

Revival of Central Processing Plants -State Government will revive the central
processing plant Biharsharif and Dye and Finishing plant, Darbhanga. In these,
the weavers may avail the facilities of dying, finishing and processing of theirproducts.

(vii)

Reimbursement of loan due of the weavers- Scheme of reimbursement of oldloan dues and interest from weavers in the State would be implemented.

8.

IMPLEMENTATION OF RESERVATION POLICY:
Those units which comply with the Reservation Policy of the Govt. of Bihar will begiven an additional 10% over and above the fiscal incentives for which they are eligible
under this Policy.

9.

MONITORING AND REVIEW:
All concerned departments and organizations would issue necessary follow up
notifications within a month to give effect to the provisions of this Policy. This will be
duly monitored by Government so that the State Government may carry out a mid term review of this Policy.

10.

The incentives / subsidies / relief’s outlined in this policy shall be available to only
such new industrial units which commence commercial production within five years
from 01.04.2006.

11.

Industries mentioned in the negative list in Annexure - II would not be eligible for any
incentive / subsidy.

12.

For incentives contained in this Policy a committee would be constituted under the
Chairmanship of Secretary Industries with the Director of Industries, Director
Technical Development, a representative each of the Commercial Taxes Department,
and Bihar State Electricity Board (wherever necessary) as well as the concerned
M.D of the Industrial Area Development Authority as its Members. This Committee
would decide on post-production incentives to be given to new units.

[ 124 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

13.

The definitions given in the Annexure to this policy shall be treated as part of thispolicy.

Order: It is ordered that a copy of the resolution should be sent for publication in the special
edition of the Bihar Gazette, Reputed Journals and Newspapers and be circulated
among all the Departments / Departmental heads and Subordinates officials of theGovernment.
By the Order of the Governor of Bihar(S. Vijayaraghavan)
Industrial Dev. Commissioner, Bihar, Patna.

Memo No: 1162, Patna, Dated 15 / 07 / 06
Copy with enclosure forwarded to the Superintendent, Government Press, Gulzarbagh,
Patna for its publication in the special edition of Bihar Gazette.
By the Order of the Governor of Bihar(S. Vijayaraghavan)
Industrial Dev. Commissioner, Bihar, Patna.

Memo No: 1162, Patna, Dated 15 / 07 / 06
Copy with enclosure forwarded to all Departments / Departmental Heads / Commissioner,
Commercial Taxes, Department of Commercial Taxes / Managing Director, All Corporations
under Department of Industry / Bihar Industrial Development Authority/ Chief Executive
Officer, Bihar Khadi Village Industries Board Patna / Chairman, Bihar State Electricity Board,
Patna / All Commissioners/ All District Magistrates / All Deputy Development
Commissioners / All General Managers, District Industry Office / Director, TechnicalDevelopment / Director, Industry / Resident Commissioner, Bihar Bhavan, New Delhi /Director, Small Scale Industries Service Organization, Patliputra Colony, Patna / Muzaffarpur
for information and needful action.
By the Order of the Governorof Bihar(S. Vijayaraghavan)
Industrial Dev. Commissioner, Bihar, Patna.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 125 ]

ANNEXURE-I
Definitions:1.

Effective date: “Effective date” means the date on which the provisions of this Policy
come into force i.e. 01.04.2006. This Policy will remain in force for 5 years from thedate of issue of orders.

2.

Industrial Unit/Industrial concern: ‘Industrial unit / concern’ means any unit / concern
engaged or to be engaged in manufacturing / processing / servicing industry under
the following categories:a)Industries listed under the First Schedule of the Industries (Development andRegulation) Act 1951 as amended from time to time.

b)

Industries falling within the purview of the following Boards / Agencies:(1) Small Industries Board(2) Coir Board(3) Silk Board(4) All India Handloom and Handicrafts Board.
(5) Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
(6) Any other agency constituted by the Government of India or Government ofBihar for industrial development.

c)Other categories:(1) Mining or development of mines(2) The maintenance, repair, inspection or servicing of machinery of any
description or vehicles or vessels or motorboats or trailers of tractors.
(3) The setting up or development of an Industrial Area, Industrial Estate,
Integrated Infrastructure Development Export Promotion Industrial Park,
Export Promotion Zone or Growth Centre.
(4) Providing special or technical knowledge or other services for the promotionof industrial growth.
(5) Providing Engineering, Technical, Financial, Managerial, Marketing or otherservices or facilities for industry.
(6) Providing services relating to Information Technology, Telecommunication
or electronics including satellite linkage and audio or visual cablecommunication.

[ 126 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

(7) Tourism.
3.

Existing Industrial Unit:“Existing Industrial Unit” means an industrial unit which is in commercial production.

4.

New Industrial Unit:“New Industrial Unit” means an industrial unit in which commercial production hascommenced within five years from 01.04.2006.

5.

Transferred Unit:“Transferred unit” means an industrial unit whose ownership / management has beentransferred as per the provisions of the State Financial Corporation Act, 1951 or has
been transferred with the approval of Financial Institutions / Banks.

6.

Sick Unit:“Sick unit” means an industrial unit declared sick by the Board for Industrial and
Financial Reconstruction under the Sick Industries Companies (Special Provision)
Act, 1985 or by the State Apex Committee for SSI headed by the Director of Industries
or the High Level Empowered Committee headed by the Chief Secretary for large andmedium sector.

7.

Closed Unit:“Closed unit” means an industrial unit which has been continuously closed since thelast five (5) years from the date of eligibility for applying for incentive under this Policy.
Closed means that there should have been no commercial production. The declarationof the unit being “closed” shall be certified as mentioned in Para 3 of this policy.

8.

Expansion/Modernisation/Diversification:“Expansion/Modernisation/ Diversification of an existing unit’ would mean additional
fixed capital investment in plant and machinery to the extent of 50% or more of theundepreciated value of fixed capital investment in the existing unit leading toincremental production capacity which would not be less than 50% of the initial installedcapacity. In order to qualify a unit undertaking expansion/modernisation/ diversification
should send prior intimation to the General Manager, District Industries Centers or theManaging Director, Bihar Industrial Area Development Authorities & Deputy
Commissioner Commercial Taxes, as the case may be in respect of Small Scale
Industry or the Director of Industries/Director, Technical Development andBihar State Pollution Control Board[ 127 ]

Commissioner, Commercial Taxes in case of medium and large industries before
undertaking such expansion/modernisation/diversification Programme. Such intimation
should be accompanied by detailed expansion/modernisation/diversification proposal
giving the specific period of proposed additional investment.
9.

Fixed Capital Investment:
The ‘Fixed capital investment’ means an investment made in land, building, plant andmachinery as well as productive assets of permanent nature.

10. Small Scale Industry:
A “Small Scale Industrial Unit” is an Industrial unit in which capital investment has been
made upto the limit specified by the Government of India time to time.
11. Ancillary Industrial Unit:
An “Ancillary Industrial Unit” is an industrial unit in which capital investment has been
made upto the limit specified by the Government of India time to time.
12. Date of Production:
The “date of production” of an industrial unit shall mean the date on which the unit
actually commences commercial production of the item for which the unit has beenregistered.
As regards the date of production of a SSI unit, the certificate issued by the respective
General Manager, District Industries Centre of Managing Director, Industrial Area
Development Authority would be valid. In case of any dispute regarding the date ofproduction, the decision of the Director on Industries shall be final. In case of large
and medium industries the certificate issued by the Director Technical Development
would be valid. In case of any dispute regarding the date of production, the decisionof the Industrial Development Commissioner/Secretary Industries shall be final.
Those industrial units which commence in production on 01.04.2006 or thereafter, butwhose capital investment is prior to 01.04.2006 would be eligible under Industrial
Incentive Policy, 2003 (in case they qualify) or under the New Policy as alternative.
The units will not be entitled to part benefits of both the policies. Three months fromthe date of publication of the notification in the Bihar Gazette of this Policy, the units
will have to give in writing to Director Industries or Director, Technical Development
indicating the preferred alternative.
[ 128 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

ANNEXURE-II
List of Industries Not Eligible For Incentives:
1.

Rice Huller

2.

Flour Mills (Including Besan, Dal & Chura Mills) of less than 50 TPD Capacity.

3.

Condiments (Masala & Papad) Mills

4.

Confectionery (Excluding Mechanised Confectionery)5.

Preparation of Sweetmeat & Salted Snacks.

6.

Bread Manufacturing (Except Mechanized Bakery)

7.

Production of Ice Candy and Ice Food.

8.

Manufacturing and Processing of Betel Nut.

9.

Fireworks and Crackers Units

10.

Coal / Coke Screening

11.

Firewood and Charcoal Manufacture

12.

Painting and Spray Painting Units

13.

Fertilizer Mixing Plants.

14.

Brick Manufacturing Units (Except Units Engaged in Manufacturing Refractory Bricks
and Bricks from Fly Ash, Red Earth, Raw Industrial Waste Material).

15.

Manufacture of Tarpaulins Made of Canvas

16.

Saw Mills and Wood Sawing

17.

Furniture and Wood Sawing.

18.

Drilling Rings, Bore Well and Tube Well Establishing Units.

19.

Tea Blending/Mixing Units.

20.

Units Connected with Cutting of Raw Tobacco and Gul Related Products and Guraku

21.

Bottling and Repackaging of Drugs/Pharmaceuticals/Chemicals without Processing
and value addition (Excluding formulation and manufacturing units)

22.

Book Binding

23.

Rubber Stamp Making

24.

Notebook and Envelope Making.

25.

Photo Copying
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 129 ]

26.

Stenciling Units

27.

Processing of Stencil Papers.

28.

Distilled Water Manufacturing Units.

29.

Tailoring (Except Readymade Garment Manufacturing Units)

30.

Sewing of Socks with Woven Cloth and their Repacking.

31.

Laundry/Dry Cleaning.

32.

Photography/Studio Labs.

33.

Clinical/Pathological Laboratories/Nursing Homes/Clinics

34.

Beauty Parlours.

35.

Video Parlours

36.

Goods Transport.

37.

Video/Audio Cassette Recording/Watch Repairing / Vehicle Workshop and Service
Stations.

38.

Lime Kilns.

39.

Petrol Pumps.

40.

Narcotic Drugs.

Note:
1.

Government reserve the right to make any changes in the above negative list.

2.

The decision of Government whether a unit falls in the Negative list or not, shall befinal and binding.

[ 130 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

ANNEXURE – III
FORMAT OF PASSBOOK AS DETAILED IN PARA 2(VI)
OF THE INDUSTRIAL INCENTIVE POLICY 2006.

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

Amount of Tax
admitted
under
BVATA*/
CSTA*/BETA*
BVATA*/

Amount paid
against theamountadmittedunderamountMain/
Subsidiaryheadings
under which
admitted

Challanno. &date with
Name ofTreasuryName &

Signat

CSTA*/BETA*

deposited

Designati
ure
on of
with
certifying
date
officer& sealTOTAL

Sl. Month
No.

3*BVATA = Bihar Value Added Tax Act 2005
*CSTA = Central Sales Tax Act*BETA = Bihar Entry Tax Act.
Note: The passbook entries must be certified by the concerned Commercial Taxes
Officer in charge of the circle.

v v v

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 131 ]

C. AGRICULTURE
1.

Agricultural Resource :Bihar is one of the states where agriculture is considered as the backbone of

economic activity. About 80% of the land area is arable and supported with good monsoon
rainfall. Though the agricultural practices are not well developed, but somehow supports
the life line through its products.
There are four classes of crop period in Bihar, e.g,. (1) Bhadai (2) Aghani (3) Rabi
crop (4) Summer crop.
i.

Bhadai : This crop is sown in the month of May-June i.e., in pre-monsoon period

and harvested during post monsoon period. It includes the crops such as rice, maize andjute and in some patches pulses and vegetables are also grown.
The districts of Purnia, Saharsa, Madhepura, Supaul, Kishanganj, Katihar are themain areas where such crops yield. Marua is grown in the districts of Muzaffarpur, Vaishali,
Saharsa, Samastipur and Sitamarhi.
In the diara lands of Ganga and Kosi belt maize are grown.
ii.

Aghani : This is the main crop in Bihar. It contains all the crops which is sown during

rainy season immediate after the on-set of monsoon. The main paddy crop is sown till
August and harvested in the month of Nov.-Dec. That is why Bihar has its own well establishedrice culture.
The main rice producing districts are Purnia, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi,
Saharsa, Rohtas, etc. Two crops yield of paddy is usually practised because of the factthat a monsoon period prolongs over a wide range.
iii.

Rabi Crop : This is the winter crop usually sown in the month of Oct-Nov andharvested in the month of March-April. Wheat is the main product of this period along withother minor pulses and oil seeds.
iv.

Summer Crop : During this period summer paddy, vegetables oil seed, maize andpulses are grown.
Main crops yields –i.

Paddy : Paddy is grown about a tune of 65.5 lakh. MT each year. Three types of

paddy are produced[ 132 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

ii.

(a)

Aghani Paddy (80% of the area)(b)

Boro Paddy (2% of the area)(c)

Summer Paddy (3% of the area)

Wheat : Wheat is the second most predominant product. It is produced in about

26.5 lakh. hec land and the yield is of a tune of 35.7 lakh. ton every year. In the past two
decades the production in Bihar has increased many fold and it has attained the sixth
position in the list of states producing wheat.
The main wheat producing area is Ganga-Diara, Kosi basin, Begusarai district,area falling west of river Bagmati and in the districts of Buxar, Rohtas, Gaya, Jehanabad,
Patna, Munger and Bhagalpur.
iii.

Maize : Maize is the third main crop of Bihar and is sown in 8% of the cultivablearea. It is mainly grown in the area SW of Burhi Gandak River and in the districts of Saran,
Gopalganj, Siwan, Samastipur and Purbi and Pashcim Champaran. Approximately 18 lakh
metric ton is produced every year.
iv.

Barley : Barley is grown in almost similar ground situation as that of maize. It issown as mixed crop. Purbi and Paschim Champaran are the lead districts in its production.
v.

Marua (Ragi) : It is grown in the less fertile sandy soil and needs little water that is

why its seed is sown in the month of June and transplanted after rainfall. It is the main foodof labour and down trodden class of population. It is grown in the districts of Saharsa,
Supaul, Madhepura and Darbhanga, etc.
vi.

Pulses : About 12-13 lakh hec. land is used for growing such type of crops. The

annual production is of to a tune of 10 lakh MT.
vii.

Main Cash Crop : It includes Sugarcane, Tabacco, Potato, Jute and Chilli.
Sugarcane is grown in alluvial soil having lime as main ingrediant. It is noted thatarea lying east of Bagmati is not suitable for sugarcane cultivation. Broadly, it is the area
lying NE of Bagmati river which is considered most suitable for sugarcane cultivation.
Tabacco is grown in 14000 ha. land and the production is of a tune of 17000 ton
every year. It is grown mainly on the margin of river banks almost extending from Gandak
river in the west to eastern boarder of Bihar.
Potato is the main cash crop and is grown almost in every districts. Nalanda district
is considered as the leading producer of Potato.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 133 ]

Jute is produced in the high rainfall and humid area of Bihar. It is grown at the marginof water bodies where pure water is vailable for washing. It is mainly grown in the districtsof Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar Saharsa, etc.
Chilli is a product grown through out the year in about 75,000 ha land.
2.

AGRICULTURAL ZONES OF BIHAR :The state of Bihar has been divided into five zones for agricultural utility which ispresented in Table - 78.
TABLE - 78

(i)Agricultural zones

Main Crops

Geographical Characterestic

NE Plain

Paddy & Jute

Flood Plain, adequate fertility, sufficienthumidity & more than 125 cm rainfall, silty
clay to silty loam soil.

(ii)

NW Plain

Paddy &

Falls under Gandak command area &Sugarcanegroundwater irrigation, older alluvium soils
with domi nance of lime & < 125 cm. rainfall.

(iii)

Mid-North Plain

Paddy, Maize& wheatArea between Gandak & Kosi, flood
affected light silty clay soil, favour rainfall,canal & tubewell irrigation(iv)

SW Plain

Paddy &

Sugarcane

Area lying west of kharagpur hill upto Sonriver, rice & wheat in wheat selected areas,
Son Command area.

(v)

SE Plain

Paddy main

East of Karagpur hill, rainfall

crop & maize> 125 cm. drought prone area. in irrigatedarea, wheat & sugarcane in Diara area.

3.

REASONS FOR AGRICULTURAL BACKWARDNESS :1.

The social and political reasons never remain friendly and congenial with thefactors governing the Geo-economic aspect of the state. Initially, many pilot projects, e.g.,
IADP were undertaken in the state but the result was a not satisfactory. The eradication ofregional imbalance and personal bias couldn’t build the atmosphere for the properdevelopment of the state. Lack of political will, education, inadequacy of information system,
social tensions and population explosion are the main reasons for under exploitation of[ 134 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Boardagricultural land.
2.

The other reasons i.e., economics reasons includes, lack of implementationof land & water management, mordernization & industrialisation of agriculture and otherinfrastructural support for agriculture.
3.

The other major reasons for the agricultural backwardness is the extreme

population pressure on agricultural land. The various land reforms acts were not effectively
executed on ground.
The land & water management, ie, the terms of water imbalance has affected thestate perpetually in the form of flood and drought. This remains the major challenge for thedevelopment of the state.
4.

GREEN REVOLUTION :The Bihar has failed to get the yield of green revolutions because of the facts

summarized below :A.

Due to non-implementation of land reforms 77% of the holding is with themarginal farmers, which comprises 30% of the agricultural land. Persons holding morethan 5 hectare land comprises 4% and the total land area under such sector are 30% of theavailable agricultural land. The increased population of marginal farmers are the main hurdle
in the economic development based on agricultural yield.
B.

Due to poor purchasing capacity of farmer HYV seeds and improved chemicalfertilizers were not utilised.
C.

A total of 28 districts of the state are flood affected. During the same span of

weather condition some area is affected with flood while the other with drought. The SoneGanga river system irrigates about 73% of its command area and the remaining mid-central
south Bihar dose not have proper irrigation facility.
D.

The seed and insectisides used are not commensurate with the bio-technological consideration.
E.

The agricultural activity of the state has never been linked with industry orpara industry there by the farmers are deprived of getting assured financial support andencouragement.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 135 ]

CHAPTER- 4

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
The concept of EIA was pioneered in U.S.A. in 1969 with the formulation of National
Environmental Policy. The EIA may be defined as –(a)

“A study of probable change in various socioeconomic and bio-physicalcharacteristics of the environment which may result from a proposed or impending action”– Jain et al (1977)(b)“It is an activity that aims at establishing quantitative values for selectedparameters which indicate quality of environment, before, during and after an action – Heer
& Hagarty (1977)
EIA is carried out for assessing the requirements of economic growth andpreservation of environment. Consequent to the promulgation of Environmental (Protection)
Act, 1986, environmental clearance for all new projects and expansion of existing projects
have become mandatory. This clearance is given by the Dept. of Environment (DoEn),
Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India or the concerned State Pollution Control
Board on the basis of EIA and environmental management plan (EMP) documents.
In order to decide the environmental hotspots and priority issues on the basis ofnumber and extent of problems in each district, the quantitative hierarchy of environmental
degradation has been worked out. The quantitative value of problems warrants cost effective
action to address these issues with the understanding of its everity and priority.
It is understood that there are some pervasive nature of problems, in all the districts
e.g.; drinking water, sewage and sanitation facilities and indoor air pollution which are nottaken into account while deciding the hotspot.
The cut-off score for environmental hotspot is taken in any four of the sevenenvironmental problems viz; (1) Disaster (2) Land degradation (3) Bio-diversity loss
[ 136 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

(4) Water imbalance (5) Unorganised Urbanisation (6) Industrialisation and (7) Awareness,alongwith their inherent attributes listed in Table - 79.
TABLE - 79
Env. problems

Attributes

1.

Disaster(a) Flood (b) Seismicity and (c) Drought

2.

Land Degradation(a) Soil alkalinity (b) Wet land (c) River erosion(d) siltation and (e) Irrigational Command Area
problems.

3.

Bio-diversity loss(a) Deforestation (b) Non-residency of run-off (c)Siltation of wet land (d) Subsidence of wet-landand (e) River aggradation (Ganga)

4.

Water imbalance(a) Over exploitation of ground water in selectedarea (b) Chemical anomoly

5.

Urbanisation(a) Vehicle pollution (b) Solid waste (c) Sewageand (d) Air pollution

6.

Industrialisation(a) Mining :(b) Industries

7.

Awareness(a) Population(b) Health determinants e.g. unsafe water, poor
sonitation practices, malnutrition, behaviouralattitudes, illiteracy, climatic conditions andpoverty.

Thus on the basis of number of problems in each district the quantitative hierarchy ofenvironmental degradation has been brought out in Table No. 80.
The approach for prioritisation is a process whereby the ranking of future action
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 137 ]

could be decided so that the issues of greatest impact attract the highest investment relative
to the available resources. Therefore, to be able to determine the path by which
improvements in environmental management interventions could be effected in the
background of politicl commitment, resource availability, administrative capability and public
participation through participatory processes, it needs to be placed on record that theoutcome should be taken as indicative, requiring further verification by secondary microlevel exercises.
The prioritisation methodology is aimed to derive weightings which are then applied
to get scores for the range of seven identified problems. Taking into consideration of primaryand secondary source of information to provide guidance on the importance of the different
environmental issues in Bihar, an assessment of the magnitude of economic, social andecological impacts of each problem has been carried out. A score of 1 to 3 has been
assigned to low impact, 4 to 6 to medium impact and 7 to 9 for high impacts. Based on theeconomic, social and ecological factors an impact matrix for the environmental hotspot
districts developed, which is presented in Table 80.

[ 138 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control BoardBihar State Pollution Control Board[ 139 ]}

Disaster1
1. Araria(a) (b-IV & V F)
2. Aurangabad(b III, F),(c)
3. Banka(b-IV),(c)
4. Begusarai(a) (b-IV)
5. Bhagalpur(a) (b-IV)
6. Bhojpuer(a) (b-IV)
7. Buxar(a) (b-IV)
8. Darbhanga(a) (b-IV)
9. Gaya(b-III, IV)(c)
10. Gopalganj(b-IV)
11. Jamui(b-IV)(c)
12. Jehanabad(a) (b-IV F)(c)
13. Kaimur(b-III)(c)
14. Katihar(a) (b-IV F)
15. Khagaria(b-V)
16. Kishanganj(b-IV F)
17. Madhubani(a) (b-V)
18. Madhepura(b-IV & V)
19. Munger(a) (b-IV)
20. Muzaffarpur(a) (b-IV F)
21. Nalanda(b-IV)
22. Nawada(b-III, IV)(c)
23. Patna(a) (b-IV F)
24. Paschim Champaran (a) (b-IV)
25. Purbi Champaran(a) (b-IV)
26. Purnia(a) (b-IV F)
27. Rohtas(a) (b-IV & V) (c)28. Samastipur(a) (b-IV)
29. Saharsa(b-IV)
30. Saran(b-IV F)
31. Siwan(b-IV)
32. Sitamarhi(a) (b-V, VI)
33. Supaul(a) (b-V)
34. Vaishali(a) (b-IV)
35. Sheikhpura
Included in parts of
36. Lakhi Sarai
old Munger

District

(a)
(a)
(a)
(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(d)

(c) (d)

(d)

(d)

(d)

(c) (d)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)
(d)
(b)

(b)
(b)

(b)

(b)
(b)

(b)

(b)

(c)
(c)

(b)

(a)
(a)

(b) (c)
(c)

(a)

2
(b)

Land
Degradation

(a)

(a)

(a)
(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)
(a)

3

(b)

(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)

(b)

(b)

(b)

(b)

(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)

Bio-diversity

(a)
(a)
(a)
(a)
(a)
(a)

(a)
(a)
(a)
(a)

(a)
(a)

(a)
(a)

(a)
(a)

(a)

(a)
(a)
(a)

(a)

(a)
(a)

(b) (b+)(b) (b+)(b+) (b+++)

(b)

(b++)

(b)
(b)

(b) (b+)(b+)(b +++)(b +++)(b)(b) (b+)4

Water imbalance(a) (b) (c)(a) (b) (c)(a) (b) (c)(a) (b) (c)5Unorganised
urbanisation

(a)

(a)
(a)

(a)

(a)

6
(b)
(N.A) (c)(N.A) (c)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b) (c)(b) (c)(N.A)(N.A)(b) (c)
(b)
(N.A)
(b)
(b)
(N.A)
(b) (c)(b)(N.A) (c)(N.A) (c)
(b)
(N.A)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)

Industriali
sationTABLE - 80 : ENVIRONMENTAL HOTSPOT DISTRICTS IN BIHAR

(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)

(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)

(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)

(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)
(b)

a+++ (b)

a
a++
a+++
a++
a++
a++
a+++
a+
a+
a++
a+++
a+++
a+++
a++
a+++
a+++
a+
a+++
a+++
a+
a++
a+++
a+
a+
a+
a++
a++
a+
a+++
a+
a++
a++
a+++
a++
++

7

Awareness

8
5
6
5
7
5
4
4
6
6
4
4
4
4
5
4
5
4
5
6
6
6
5
6
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
4

No. ofEnv. Problems[ 140 ]Bihar State Pollution Control Board

1. Disaster(a) Flood(b) Seismicity(c) Drought
2. Land Degradation(a) Soil Alkalinity(b) Wet land(c) Rivererosion(d) Siltation(e) Irrig. Comm. area
3. Bio-Diversity(a) Deforestation(b) Non residencyof run off(c) Sittation of
wet land(d) Subsidence ofof wet land(e) River aggradation
4. Water Imbalance(a) groundwaterover exploitation(b) chemical hazard
5. Urbanisation(a) Veh. Pollution(b) Solid waste(c) Sewage(d) Air pollution
6. Industrialisation(a) Mining(b) Industries
7. Awareness(a) Population(b) Health Indicators

Env. Problems

Impact factors

5

1

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

4

1

1

3

1

2

3

5

9

1

5

Ecological Impact
Abiotic
Geo- Geomor- Pedo- Surface Groundlogy phology logy
water
water

2

1

1

2

1

6

7

2

3

2

8

3

2

2

2

9

BioticLand Climate
Land Aquaticuse ecology Ecology

9

7

9

9

9

8

9

3

–

–

1

4

–

–

8

3

2

9

6

8

8

4

9

9

5

6

8

9

4

5

9

8

4

7

26

15

23

27

22

18

24

T
Social Impact
T
Economic Total
O
O
Impact Score
T
Noise
Air
Land
T
A Quality Quality use
A
L
L
(1-9)
10
11
12 (10-12)
13

TABLE - 81 : IMPACT MATRIX FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN BIHARENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
5.1 DISASTER :Drought : Lack or insufficiency of rain for an extended period that severely disturbs
the hydrologic cycle in an area is called drought. Droughts involve water shortage, crop
damage, stream flow reduction and depletion of ground water and soil moisture. They occur
when evaporation and transpiration exceeds precipitation for a considerable period.
Drought is the most serious hazard to agriculture in nearly every part of the world.
In Bihar the districts usually affected under this disaster are Kaimur, Rohtas,
Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui and Banka.
Measure of mitigation plan :(i)Update the data, observations and interpretation with respect to parameters e.g;
deficiency in rainfall and run-off, decline in soil moisture, reduction in groundwaterlevels and the storage required to meet prescribed drafts or demands.

(ii)

The drainage basins e.g; Lower reaches of Sone, Punpun, Morhar, Phalgu,
Dhadhar, Sakri, Kiul, Chandan and Baudna should be subjected for water balance
studies.

(iii) The topographically friendly drainage routes should be examined and considered
for diverting the flows successively from Punpun to Kiul, through intermittent
channels, from West to East, in the plateau marginal area.
(iv) The geological and geohydrogical region of surface water storage site andgroundwater recharge zones are to be identified and equitably distributed as
per the need and water holding capacity.
(v)

Rain water harvesting should be promoted.

FLOOD AND SHIFTING OF RIVERS :As a part of river prone disaster the two elements i.e. flood and shifting of rivers are
intimately related consequential fluvial phenomena. The most dynamic among rivers is theKosi, which has avulsed over 120 km of lateral width, from east to west, in about 220 years.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 141 ]

The Gandak has migrated over a distance of 105 km. from west to east. The Sone river
has shifted westward since the Epic period, through Budha, Gupta and medieval time.
These shifting is concomittent with flood disaster and deluge.
The role of neotectonic changes (Seismic behaviour) has been attributed as the cause
for tilting of megafans towards east, leading to shifting of Gandak. The gradual shifting ofKosi towards west may be correlated with the influence of Patna – Muzaffarpur crustal
fracture. Though there is no positive correlation with many severe earthquake and floods.
The shifting of Sone river is assumed to be an outcome of superimposition of Patna –Muzaffarpur fault over the pre-existent Sone-Narmada basement fracture system.
The hydro-meteorological parameters, morphology of river systems, neo-tectonism(Seismictly), over siltation and deforestation of the source area constitute the major factors
influencing the floods of North Bihar. The channel pattern related to flooding arecharacterised as (i) increasing width-depth ratio (ii) increasing stream power, and (iii)increasing sediment load. In an attempt to control the flood the construction of embankments
on both banks of North Bihar rivers have remained a major part of environmental
expenditure. this has changed the natural morphological setting of rivers and thereby curb
the translatory tendency of rivers. Spilling through gaps in the embankments enhanced withsynchronisation of floods within adjacent basins magnifies the problems. The embankments
have interferred with the natural processes of rivers and even in areas protected from spillingby them, there is waterlogging and salinity.
CONTROL MEASURES :Alternative to construction of embankments include :–(i)

Upstream storage and construction of detention basins within the flood plains.

(ii)

Artificial draw down of ground water.

(iii) Afforestation in the catchment area to be able to hold more run-off and check on
dislodging of silt.
(iv) Flood proof planning with the support of preparation of Flood Risk Map,
constituting the data on synthesis of rainfall, run-off, flood boundaries and[ 142 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Boardrehabilitation plan for different storming period over the base map of satellite
image.
(v)

Extending guidelines for flood control measures, based on above excersise, forminimising flood damage.

SEISMICITY :Earthquakes of Bihar may be placed in two categories, one related to the earth
movements of Himalayan frontal region and the other originating from stress fields built up
in the northern front of Chotanagpur plateau. In recent past the Bihar-Nepal earthquake on
15-1-1934 of magnitude 8.1 continued through 19-1-1934 and with lower frequency till 134-1934. The main shock was felt over a large area of 4.72 million sq. km with a death toll of7253. A prominent effect of the earthquake was a creation of major slump in the central
part of the Ganga basin in which the tilting of houses and subsidence of ground was marked.
The belt runs WNW-ESE for some 300 km from the Champaran district in the west throughMuzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts to as far as Purnea in the east. The isoseismal X andIX (Mercalli) define two distinct tracks of the greatest damage : (i) a belt of 32 km wide
trending ESE-WWW for some 128 km from east of Motihari through Sitamarhi to Madhubani(isoscismal X) and (ii) a narrow linear belt extending from Munger to Patna towns coveringsome 1300 sq. km (isoscismal X and IX).
Two other events i.e., on 16-8-1833 and on 31-8-1988 of high intensity have shaken
the same geographical extent as the 1934 event. The former is assigned a magnitude of
7.5 < to < 7.9 and an epicentre close to Kathmandu within or close to the infered rupturezone of the 1934 event. The latter has an instrumentally determined magnitude of 6.4 and a
depth of focus of 17 km. The damage areas of the earthquake are more or less same asthat of for the 1934 event, the maximum intensity of IX and VIII was recorded in the northernpart of the Madhubani and Darbhanga districts. A narrow E-W belt around Munger recorded
damages of an intensity of 8 and 7.
The knowledge of the physical nature of earthquakes and their influences on
engineering structure is essential for working in the zones where the occurrence ofearthquake is probable. As a part of minimisation of damages and protection of life andproperty in the area already discussed, the following two management plans are suggestsed :Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 143 ]

(i)to establish the nature of risk that would be if the planned structure is built in thegiven area. It further incorporates two considerations (a) seismicity of the regionin terms of their intensity and magnitude and (b) the possible nature andconsequences of earthquake damage to the particular structure.

(ii)

to establish certain bases of structural design in seismic regions. These result
from theoretical studies and actual observations of the ground motion and damage
during an earthquake.

5.2

LAND DEGRADATION :Soil Alkalinity : Salinity problem usually arise from (i) either through the use of saline

waters for irrigation or (ii) through over irrigation and a consequent rise of a saline watertable to the root, the irrigation of level lands which may be initially non-saline and welldrained under natural conditions, but may have drainage facilities inadequate to take careof the additional groundwater resulting from irrigation practices may lead to develop alkalinesoil. In such situations the grounwater level may be raised to the root in a relatively shorttime. Water then moves to the soil surface s a result of evaporation, increasing the saltcontent of the surface soil and of the soil water and causing the development of saline andalkaline soil conditions.
In north Bihar there is a zone of alkaline soil about 40 km wide, North-South, covering
Gopalganj, southern part of East champaran, northern part of Siwan, southern part ofSitamarhi, northern part of Muzaffarpur, parts of Samastipur, Begusarai, Darbanga and
Saharsa districts. About 80% of the affected area falls under the irrigational commandarea of Gandak and Kosi canals where the depth to water level varies from 2 to 5 m. below
ground level during post monsoon and from 2 to 5 metre below ground level in selected
patches and in eastern part and in general 5 to 10 below ground level during pre-monsoon
period.
There are slected rich patches where (i) Salt peter (Sodium Nitrate and Potassium
Nilrate) and (ii) ‘Reh’ (sodium carbonate, Sodium Sulphate and Sodium chloride) are foundto occur. It has been usually found that in the dense populous area combined with warmhumid climate provides the favourable ground for formation of saltpeter. In the area near tovillage generates ammonia and nitrogenous substances. Bacteria comes into play and[ 144 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

transforms the decomposed substances into nitric acid. It reacts with the potassium salt of
the soil and produces potassium nitrate.
In area north of Begusarai, near Majhaul, the aquifer lying at > 170 metre below
ground level contains chloride value > 500 mg/L and the irrigational water utilised from thisdepth range increases the soil alkalinity.
The concept of total soil-moisture stress – a summation of osmotic pressure of thesoil solution and the soil moisture tension, has since been used extensively and provided afirm basis for irrigation technology for handling the salinity problem.
WET LANDS :The floodplain areas of Gandak, Burhi Gandak and Kosi rivers bear the record ofvarious kinds of lakes, swamps and bogs. One of the common type is the oxbow lake,
which is an abandoned meander loop of a river. Another type is produced during flood
stage when natural levee form a dam between the main channel and the floodplain, creatinga very shallow saucer-shaped basin. Other elongate lakes on flood plains are merely
channels of master stream which are abandoned as it shifts its course in any manner. Suchlakes are common along meandering rivers and are known as meander scrolls. In courseof dynamic system of life history of a lake a bog is the end stage. It is characterised with afloating vegetal mat attached to shore. A swamp, on the other hand, is a vegetated landarea saturated with water.
The lakes of north Bihar have provided food, primary water supply, fisheries, bird
sanctuary for birds and supported base for aquatic bio-diversity. They have potential forrecreational activities and tourism also. The Baraila Tal and Kanwar Tal are of prime
importance. The wet-land zones are spread in north Bihar plains in sporadic patches andcovers the parts of Paschim Champaran, Purbi Champaran, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur,
Vaishali, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Supaul, Madhepura, Purnia, Kishanganj and Araria andin south Bihar the Mokamah Tal and Surajgarha Tal are worth mentioning.
Significance of Wetlands :(a)According to Hollies et al 1988, wetland represents the transition from upland to
deep water aquatic system and so they are actually ecotones having conditions
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 145 ]

suitable for high diversity and productivity.
(b)

Wetlands regulate the hydrological cycle by regulating the recharging anddischarging of ground water.

(c)

The help to maintain the quality and quantity of water by utilising the water purifying
efficiency of plants and animals i.e. they serve as waste water treatment andoxidation ponds.

(d)Wetlands are the natural habitat for many fresh water and endangered speciesof plants and animals i.e., they serve as a valuable biogenetic pool.

(d)Wetlands are the natural habitat for many fresh water and endangered speciesof plants and animals i.e., they serve as a valuable biogenetic pool.

(e)They check the movement of nutrient and thereby ensure the efficient functioningof the physical, chemical and biological cycles of nature.

(f)

Wetlands serve as storage reservoir of energy and carbondioxide.

RIVER EROSION :River bank erosion under the influence of Ganga channel warrants serious attention
as many times it remains the cause of concern for life and property. At all points enumerated
below Ganga river by constant land erosion through breaking away and detachment of bankby the river waves or toe-erosion, are actively operative.

[ 146 ]

Sl. No.

Location of the Site

1.

Near Dighwara

2.

South of Bachwara

3.

South east of Begusarai

4.

South of Sahebpur Kamal

5.

South of Bihpur

6.

South east of Kursela

7.

West of Manihari

Bihar State Pollution Control BoardSILTATION:
The Gandak-Kosi interfan has been divided into an upper area of gently converging
rivers that flow SE or south, perpendicular to the mountain front and a down stream area
where the more sinuous channels of Burhi Gandak, Bagmati, kamla and Balan system flows
gently to SE. The upper area surfaces composed of Gandak and Kosi megafans are yielding
over the time the silt as reworked sediments as fine silt and causing enormous siltation inriver channels and floodplains. Similarly, in the central Bihar Plain the sector between
Jehanabad and Munger is having subsidence activity thereby the phenomenon of siltation
is more pronounced.
The sediment yield can be reduced in the channel load and floodplain by someeffective scientific and hydrological land treatment measures.
1.

Vegetative system : Vegetation cover around the yield area exposed for

erosion may reduce the inflow velocity of run-off and carrying capacity. The deposition of
sediments can be enhanced in the upstream area by construction of diversions in the delta
areas to develop better distribution of incoming floodwaters and deposition in the backwater
areas.
2.

Watershed structures : Several types of structures may be built in thewatershed for the specific purpose of reducing sediment yield in the floodplain. These
include such structures as sedimentation basins to trap sediment below eroding areas anderosion control structures to halt the production of sediment.
3.

Watershed Land Treatment Measures : In case of primary source of

sedimentation i.e. sheet erosion, land treatment measures provide an effective andeconomical means of reducing erosion and sediment yield.
4.

Site specific measures : In case of low yield small dams may be placed

across the yield area and the same may be excavated, mechanically, from time to time.
5.3

BIO-DIVERSITY LOSS :The rich variety of flora and fauna we have around us is part of our natural heritage,
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 147 ]

and we have to ensure that human activities do not spoil this great diversity and leave apoorer biosphere for the next generation. One way is to monitor the species diversity of
ecosystems that are subjected to the ravages of human influences such as pollution anddeforestation. An important feature of the ecosystem is the diversity of organisms within it,
under stress, natural or man made, the species diversity decreases. Greater diversity andabundance indicates the well being of an ecosystem.
In Bihar only 7% of the area is under forest cover. Due to lack of density of forest thebio-diversity has tremendously reduced. Mainly, two variety of monsoon dependent forest
viz; Humid deciduous forest and dry forest and one related to sub Himalayan and Tarai
affinity forest are found in Bihar. The first type is found in and around Kishanganj district,the second type is prevalent in the Kaimur district and others sporadic spread sporadiallyalong the northern slope of Chotanagpur plateau. The third type is found around theSomeshwar hills in Paschim Champaran district.
For the purpose of wild life protection following sanctuaries, national parks andprotected areas have been identified:[ 148 ]

1.

Bhim Bandh Wildlife Sanctuary, Munger;2.

Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary, Gaya;

3.

Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaimur;

4.

Pant Wildlife Sanctuary, Nalanda;

5.

Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary, West Champaran;

6.

Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary, Begusarai;

7.

Kushewhwar Sthan Bird Sanctuary, Darbhanga;

8.

Salim Ali Jubba Sahni Bariela Jheel Bird Sanctuary, Vaishali;

9.

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Bhagalpur;

10.

Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Jamui;

11.

Nakti Bird Sanctuary, Jamui;

12.

Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary, West Champaran;

13.

Valmiki National Park, West Champaran; andBihar State Pollution Control Board

14.

Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna.

For the effective maintainence andlong term preservation of these sanctuary
it is essential to examine the contemporary
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) inorder to schedule the future Environmental
Management Plan (EMP).
5.4

WATER IMBALANCE :Bihar is still in its infancy in thedevelopment of groundwater management.
The question of the management of groundwater for irrigational purposes, it is essential toconsider many vital economic and scientific aspects and the possibility of conjunctive useof both surface and ground water for the purpose. The various stages are enumerated
bleow :
A.

Selection of areas on the basis of availability of reserves of groundwater andthe limits to which they can be withdrawn.
B.

The actual tube-well sinking should be based on scientific and economic

principles, as far as well assemblies, gravel shrounding, screen selection and aquifer
selection are concerned; pump design should also be based on water requirement; this, inturn, should be the deciding factor for the thickness of aquifer to be tapped;
C.

Considering the surface water resources of the terrain and weighing the

posoibility of their conjunctive use with groundwater - Modification of existing surface water
schemes and supplementing them with ground water etc.
D.

Enforcing necessary legislative measures over jurisdiction and utilisation ofwater resources, to prevent unplanned tapping and weightage;
E.

Agronomical and pedological aspects have to be considered to match thequality and quantity of water available with the cropping pattern.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 149 ]

5.5

URBANISATION :The continuing growth and concentration of population and industry in urban and

sub-urban areas in recent decades have caused a complex merging of social, economic
and physical problems. The urban environment is one that requires an special planningand management, because once the development has been effected, roads laid, pipes
installed, buildings in plac turning back would be a difficult proposition. Therefore, roomfor error cannot be afforded.
In the background of Bihar, majority ofthe township have come-up as agglomeration
around the pre-existing nucleus without
considerating the town planning measuresand land-use patterns. To some extent thewastern part of New capital city of Patna has
witnessed the town planning regulations.
Some effective schemes with respect tosewage management, traffic and transportmanagement have been made-effective.
As a first stage of amelioration of the process the concept of open space has become
associated with the deliberate maintenance of natural area with and surrounding an urban
area could be applied in the pre text of Bihar township. The open should be characterisedwith natural scenic beauty, or places necessary to help maintain the natural systems. It ison the opposite side of the spectrum where urban sprawl resides - the rampant andunrestricted growth of developed area. It can take several forms and is embraced undersuch related planing conditions as the green belt, new town, satellite township or gardencity. Thus it serves a diversity of functions such as :(i)

Providing for resources production in forestry agriculture, natural resources andwater supply;(ii)

Preservation of natural and human resources;(iii) Provision for water and air quality and visual and recreational amenities;[ 150 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

(iv)Protection of public safety in hazard prone area ;(v)

Filteration of air-borne pollutants by vegetation;(vi)

helping to compensate for the heat island effect and micro-climate disturbances
caused by the city ;(v)

For laying out the above proposal it is essential to plan the new township after
the proper EIA and EMP survey.

5.6

MINING :The far reaching effect of mining on physical as well as biological resource base are

defacing landscapes, hydrological deterioration and air pollution.
(i)

Defacing landcapes : The process of mining are of two types (i) Surface oropen casting e.g., linestone, rock chips, tiles etc; and (ii) underground mining e.g., pyrite(Rohtas) and Mica (Nawada & Jamui districts). in both the cases, vegetation and top soil
have to be removed to get access to the deposit. The area thus lost is increasing day byday. Dump disposal is another problem.
(ii)

Hydrological deterioration : One of the most pronounce and long lasting effectsof mining is qualitative and quantitative deterioration of water resources. Mining disturbs
natural hydrological process and disrupts flow lines and utlimate storage of ground water.
(iii)

Air Pollution : The SPM is increased in ambient atmosphere. In the area aroundAmjhor (Rohtas) sulphuric acid leachets have chances of getting mixed with groundwater.
The discharges coming out of mining to be monitored, treated and disposedat suitable site.
5.7

AWARENESS :Awarness has a great role in the protetion of environment and conservation of natural

resources. Ignorance and misconceptions among the large section of population also causeof environmental damage and pollution. Posistent and sustained efforts for creation ofawarness on environment and ecology is need of the hour. The sunmmarised reasons,status and treatment aspect of awaraness is presented in Table 82.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 151 ]

[ 152 ]Bihar State Pollution Control Board(iv) Cities are polluted whereas

matters

wood cutting

public or mislead them forgains to themselves

considerations of economic

are guided entirely by

4. Business or industry owners

their own reasonsurbanisation but not due to fuelconceal information from

responsibility ownership.

(vii) L a c k i n h i e r a c h y o f

in dustrialisation and(vi) Forests are disappearing due tonot polluted(v) Automobile exhaust in cities are

3. Opinion leaders, often,of their decisions.

environmental consequences

not trained to foresee thevillages are not .

(iii) Rainfall-Gods gracecomponent of environmental

2. Planner or policy makers arepunishment by God.

(ii) Famies, drought or floods-

development has no blending

agriculture, economics orReal life experiences,

Lower Secondary

Tertiary / College

Higher Secondary

Awareness

Content
to outdoor situation

Action oriented work
College/University
based on scienceand technology

Sustainable development
based on experience with
Conservation

identification and action

Science based andof knowledge, problem

As above and general scienceand action oriented field work

Classroom teaching, practicals

and field work

Classroom teaching, practicals

practicals and field visitsClassroom teaching,

Audio-visual and field visits

Teaching Strategy(vii) Bring out useful publications.

(vi) Research on specialised issue and(v) Undertake education activiity,(iv) Advise the govt. on legislation,(iii) Act as pressure group,(ii) Formation of action group(i) Preparation of database,

Surrounding from home

Conservation, assimilationindentification

awareness and problem

Objective

Primary

training.

critical decisions should have orientation andworkers and functionaries concerned withvoluntary organisations, politicians & social

C. Among opinion leaders : e.g., Govt. officers,of fairs and festivals.

(iii) Special exhibition is rural areas at the time

Action :conservation.

audio visual material

general awareness in favour of(iii) to educate the people at large and to creat(ii) to act as the eyes and ears of the Govt. and(i) to aid and advice the government

Role :

NGO'S ROLE(ii) Information packs like posters, slides andBlanguages-adult education programme.

(i) Incorporation of topics in regional

media :

B. Among General population through various

A. Among Students through education :ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATIONDESSEMINATIONStage

For environmental information arising out of :(i) Food Production,(ii) Enhanced ways of earning livelihood,(iii) Effect of technology,(iv) Impact of all dovelopmental activities on
health.
e.g.;(a) Agriculture : Land use pattern, water
resources irrigation pattern & issue of social
awareness(b) Industry : Increased waste & pollution,
cost of pollution(c) Health : Urbanisation, high incidence ofdiseases due to lack is health determinantfactors, malnutrition(v) Disciplined human decision i.e.; general
welfare, fixation of responsibility for
degradation and amelioration,
consciousness about unadable effects due
to environmental encroachment andenvironmental law implementation.

Gods.

(i) Diseases caused by demons or

1. The curriculum for medicine,engineering, technology,

NECESSITYMISCONCEPTIONSCAUSE OF IGNORANCEA(BY PRODUCT OF RAPID INDUSTRIALISATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS)TABLE - 82 : AWARENESS ABOUT ENVIRONMENT[152]

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1.

The state of Bihar may be broadly divided, on macro scale, into northern and central
Ganga plains and the southern most part of plateau region of which the Chotanagpur
plateau is most prominent alongwith minor Kaimur plateau. The north-western partis covered with Himalayan foothills. Any step to revive the economy of the state
warrants interlinkages between environment and development issues within theframework of macroscale zonation, as outlined above.

2.

Environment being a cross sectoral issue, concerning many departments, agencies
and public participation it becomes mandatory to capture and elicit view points of allconcerned government agencies and NGO’s engaged in this sector.

3.

The consultative process covering NGO’s, civil society representatives and generalpublic to express their environmental concerns and priorities needs to be adequately
attended to be able to refine this report into an Environment Monitor, highlighting the
key issues, hotspots and priorities.

4.

A data-bank system needs to be created to systematically collect, collate andsynthesise information from various sources, on Geographical Information System(GIS), to assess the incidence and magnitute of environmental degradation on multitemporal, multi sectoral and multi bio-physical facies. This Monitor system could be
utilised as a basis for further stakeholder consultations to develop an Environmental
Action Plan for Bihar. A cell equipped with hardware & software relating to GIS /Remote sensing technology should be setup with a view to updating various data on
regular basis.

5.

The Monitor’s Primary target is to create awareness among the NGO’s, general public
and other concerned stakeholders, who may utilise the information generated out of
data-bank system to initiate appropriate actions in their region of concern throughinter and intra sectoral co-ordination.

6.

The State Government should prioritise in its agenda training programmes for raising trained
manpower for environmental protection including Wild Life Management and Forest
Protection.

7.

A survey of ecological habitat, including collection of information relating to wetlands of theState for the protection of Environment and Conservation of Medicinal and Herbal Plants,
which are in the process of being extinct in the State of Bihar, should be initiated on priority
basis.

8.

Ex-situ protection methods of conservation like Tissue Culture and Bio-technology should be
brought into the State’s agenda, so as to preserve the endangered species of flora andfauna.
Bihar State Pollution Control Board[ 153 ]

9.

Public participation should also be encouraged in the forest protection and its management,so as to develop and maintain a complementary relationship with forests.

10.

Grazing by domestic animals inside forest should not be allowed, so as to protect wild animals
from diseases and other related problems.

11.

Botanical Gardens with special reference to medicinal plants should be developed in different
areas of the state.

12.

To conserve water resources, effort under National River Conservation Plan, to study theeffects of pollution on surface water, including changes in the technology for recycling domestic
wastes should be taken up. Interlinking of various rivers of Bihar should be planned to use
judiciously, the available water in various basins. This will further help in controlling floods andwater logging.

13.

Steps should be taken, if possible by special legislation, for Rain Water Harvesting, so as toconserve water resources.

14.

Non-conventional and renewable sources of energy like Hydro, Wind, Biomass and Solarenergy should be encouraged.

15.

Approach of public-private-partnership should be adopted by the State towards environmental
protection with special reference to industrial planning and development.

16.

State should ensure installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) for theindustrial growth centers.

17.

Common Bio-Medical Waste treatment facilities should be developed at least in each district
headquarter of the State for the proper management of Bio-Medical Wastes generated in the
district.

18.

Bottlenecks at the main traffic intersections and roundabouts should be cleared.

19.

Only light motor vehicles should be allowed to ply on the trunk road at peak hours. Public
transport system should be planned for various towns in the State.

20.

No drive days should be encouraged to reduce air pollution and energy conservation.

21.

Indoor air pollution and health impact should also be assessed.

22.

Studies on environmental degradation of hillocks due to stone mining in the state should be
carried out. Environmental Management Plan should be prepared for stone and sand mining
before the process of auction for grant of lease.

23.

Possibilities for providing drinking water from surface water resources after treatment in placeof underground water should be explored.

24.

Urban Solid Waste Treatment Facilities should be developed in each municipal area for proper
management of solid wastes. Urban Development Department should plan for Integrated
solid waste management policy and programme on public - private partnership basis.

[ 154 ]

Bihar State Pollution Control Board

REFERENCES
Abbas, N. and subramaniyan, V., 1964, Erosion and sediment transport in the Ganga River
Basin. Indian Jour. Hydrology, 69.
Abhasi, S.A., Environment Everyone, Discovery Publishing House, New Delhi
Base, P.K., Saikia, B.C. and Mukherjee, B.B., 1966, Refraction seismic survey forgroundwater in Patna and Gaya districts, Bihar. Unpub. Rep., Geol. Surv. Ind,
calcutta
Bandhu, Destri Environmental Management, Indian Environmental Society, New Delhi
Coleman, J.M., 1969, Estimates of annual sediment transport by the Ganga/Brahamaputra.
Sediment. Geol. 3
Central Statistical organisation (1991 & 2001). Census of India, Govt. of India, New-Delhi
Handbook of statistics on State Government finances, 2001 Valdiya, K.S., 1987,
Environmental Gelogy - India context.
Kumar, N., 1970, Bihar District Gazetters, Govt. of Bihar, Patna, Gazetters Branch, Revenue
Deptt., Patna
Planning Commission (1997). Ninth Five Year Plan Document, Planning commission, Govt.
of India, New-Delhi
Peavy, Howard S., etal; Environmental Engineering, Mc graw - Hill International Edition(Civil Engg. series), New york.
Roy, A.K. and Sinha, S., 1968, Groundwater resources of Bihar with special reference tothe problems of planning and development for irrigation purposes. Unpub. Rep.,
Geog. Surv. Ind.
Reserve Bank of India 2001.
Rural Development Ministry Report, Govt. of India, 2001.
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