Thread by @Watervagabond

#Thread
Critiquing constructively with a hope
Highlighting natural & human-induced challenges, & related problems of a region like North #Bihar, linking them with critical #drinkingwater & #sanitation schemes is with the intent of sustenance
indianexpress.com/article/india/…

Moving from a rural piped-water coverage of 1.84% households (hhs) to 86.96% hhs in 2 years is DEFINITELY an accomplishment of the Govt. of Bihar. THEREFORE, must be TOLD, CELEBRATED, ITERATED all across.

However, should we NOT sensitively reflect for the sake of the future?

Big numbers convey a message of positivity,faith,advancement, AND importantly of hope&security, far more than mere 'pipe' & 'water'. The scheme's influence is beyond our imagination. Hence, we must visualize the impact when the scheme falls short due to reasons known & unknown.

In recent past, we have seen how the number game has been so impressive for some, misleading for others & a real trouble for many. I am referring to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Gramin's work.

Floods & sanitation are not the best of friends & to establish a cordial relationship between the two, a lot more was required than merely 'asserting' the 'consented' configuration, & glad to mention that Lohiya Swachh Bihar Abhiyan @LSBA_Bihar dared to look for options.

However, a lot more is required to be done & STILL can be done to improve the future. SAME argument applies for #HarGharNalKaJal, out of the 38 districts, 22 district (21 in total & part of 22) are in flood prone North #Bihar facing recurring flood events annually in most parts.

Picture the flood scenario since past two years

As of Sept 09, 2020
Affected districts - 16 / Blocks - 130 / Panchayats -1333 / Population - 8.36 million /

As of Aug 18, 2021
Affected districts - 16 / Blocks - 99 / Panchayats - 701 / Villages - 2,589 / Population-3.54 million

In 2020, 1st round of floods came in July & last in Sept. In 2021, floods occurred in June & now we are encountering 2nd round in flood plains of known rivers. But actually unsure about cycles of flood in small, seasonal & trans-boundary rivers in dists along India-Nepal border.

The 86.96% coverage under #HarGharNalKaJal includes hhs from habitations affected by floods both year or either of the year. Frequency, duration & intensity of floods impact basic services from 1 to 6 months. Last year's flood events were severe & this year's is still ongoing

Remember, "big numbers convey a message of positivity, faith, advancement, AND importantly of hope & security." In reality piped-water system becomes inaccessible for a sizeable part of the year on an ANNUAL basis. #Drinkingwater scheme is treading the same path as #sanitation

Big numbers are HUGE & they inevitably hide the nuances, & also the anomalies. The NEED of the HOUR is to go BIG with the ACCOMPLISHMENT, the state deserves it. BUT, the state MUST go BIG in sharing how the #HarGharNalKaJal scheme is addressing the challenge of recurring floods.

By doing this, Govt. of Bihar & executing depts @BiharPHED & @PRD_BIHAR will create a formidable point of reference for other flood prone states executing the scheme under @jaljeevan_
Sharing thoughts & highlighting fears with the intent to learn from past & improve the today

Thoughts

This is just one of the challenges, therre are others as well. Therefore, it is time to go BIG with the existing reality, rather than just hiding behind the BIG numbers.

Thoughts

@sunitanar @officecmbihar @SanjayJhaBihar @zenrainman @vijayavee @rajeevinbihar @ndmaindia @dupc_brb @JamwalNidhi @darpananilsingh @kumkumdasgupta @UNICEFIndia @WaterAidIndia @devluck @Umesh_KrRay @yamunajiye @Indian_Rivers @sarvatathagata @muktigami @Gupta_Shivanii

Thoughts

@Paaniraani @raman_anuradha @carbon_stink @NadiSambad @MoJSDoWRRDGR @sen_rupa @vikranttongad @shillpiasingh @pushymitr @SobhiMohanty @advocjha @veditum @shaibaba @AmritaDhiman @BareeshVarsha @shivalijainer @GoveasNikhil @SachinTiwale @Ranjana_rahul @neelmani1305