Parliament Question: Mission LiFE in Bihar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3095 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026 Mission LiFE in Bihar

3095. SHRI AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH:

Will the Minister for ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to

state:

(a) the status of implementation of Mission Lifestyle For Environment (LiFE) in Bihar and awareness campaigns conducted in Patna district;

(b) whether measurable reductions in plastic use, energy consumption and waste generation have been recorded;

(c) the funds allocated for climate adaptation and green urban initiatives in the State during the period from 2023 to 2026; and

(d) the steps taken to integrate Mission LiFE objectives with State-level urban planning and environmental management strategies? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) and (b) Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) is a citizen-led initiative that focuses on inspiring and enabling individuals to adopt sustainable lifestyles through every day voluntary actions. It aims to nudge individuals and communities across all sections of society to practice a lifestyle that is synchronous with nature.

To encourage public participation in Mission LiFE and promote environmentally sustainable practices, the Ministry in collaboration with various stakeholders including Line Ministries, State/UT governments has undertaken mass mobilisation campaigns. As reported on Meri LiFE portal, more than 15.6 lakh individuals from Bihar (including Patna district) have participated in over 1.2 lakh LiFE events.

Under the Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) of the Ministry, more than 50 awareness programmes, workshops, seminars, exhibitions, training sessions and campaigns across Bihar have been organized engaging over 1.5 lakh participants. Major activities included campaigns and exhibitions under Mission LiFE, observance of World Environment Day and Van Mahotsav, plantation drives under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, awarenessprogrammes on wetland conservation, and training programmes for farmers and rural women.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has undertaken awareness and outreach activities under Mission LiFE in Bihar including Patna district through social media, with a focus on encouraging sustainable behaviour among citizens. The key themes of these campaigns included combating Plastic Pollution, Waste Management, Air and Water Quality, Sustainable Infrastructure and Education, Lifestyle Shifts.

A Whole-of-Government approach has been adopted to integrate the objectives of Mission LiFE with key flagship programmes.

Identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, have already been prohibited, with effect from 1st July, 2022, vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 notified on 12th August 2021. The notification also prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st December, 2022.

Under Phase II of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), as per data reported by the State on the online Integrated Management Information System (IMIS), 35,382 villages (95.3%) have been covered with Solid Waste Management arrangements and 35,548 villages (95.7%) with Grey Water Management arrangements. Additionally, 132 Rural Plastic Waste Management Units have been established in the State under SBM

(G) Phase II.

Further, the Model Bihar Municipal Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Bye- Laws, 2024 prohibit the manufacturing, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, by shopkeepers, vendors, traders, etc. with effect from 1st July 2022. As reported by Govt. of Bihar, enforcement actions by Urban Local Bodies between April to December 2025 resulted in the seizure of 13,875 kgs of plastic. Non-recyclable waste with high calorific value is also being utilised as Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) in nearby cement factories.

(c) The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) has been established to support adaptation initiatives in India’s States and UTs that are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. In Bihar, one project under NAFCC titled “Scaling up Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) through Mainstreaming Climate Smart Villages

(CSVs) in Bihar” is being implemented in 8 districts - Patna, Nalanda, Bhagalpur, Munger, Purnea, Katihar, Samastipur and Darbhanga with a sanctioned cost of Rs.

23.10 crore.

The National Authority CAMPA has approved funds amounting to Rs. 267.63 crore between FY 2022-23 and 2025-26 towards Annual Plan of Operation furnished by State of Bihar to carry out activities in accordance with the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 and Compensatory Afforestation Fund Rules, 2018.As informed by Bihar Urban Development & Housing Department, funds amounting to Rs. 70.26 Crore has been allocated for 18 Projects of Development and Beautification of Parks under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme; Rs. 47.14 Crore have been allocated under State funds for 13 projects of Rejuvenation of Pond, Development and Beautification of Parks especially on the theme of Waste to Wonder and Rs. 109.3 Crore have been allocated for restoration of Ponds and Lakes under Jal Jeevan Hariyali Mission.

(d) As informed by the State of Bihar, the objectives of Mission LiFE have been integrated into State-level urban planning and environmental management by incorporating sustainability principles in the preparation of Master Plans for 43 planning areas.

These plans include provisions for protection and development of urban green spaces, conservation of eco-sensitive areas and water bodies, and promotion of environmentally responsible land-use planning. They also emphasize sustainable mobility through strengthening public transport systems and development of pedestrian and cycle-friendly infrastructure, thereby encouraging low-carbon mobility and environmentally sustainable urban growth.

Further, the Bihar Building Bye-Laws have been amended to promote green buildings by providing incentives such as additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for buildings obtaining green building certification, thereby encouraging energy-efficient construction, water conservation and the use of renewable energy in urban development.

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