PATNA, Oct. 18 -- The green cover of Bihar has increased from 6 per cent to 15 per cent, while the state's irrigated area has more than doubled, chief minister Samrat Choudhary said on Saturday while interacting with a cycling team led by Padma Bhushan awardee and environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi at his official residence. "Bihar's green cover has increased from 6 per cent to 15 per cent. The state's irrigated area, which had earlier stood at 21 lakh hectares, has now expanded to 44 lakh hectares," he said, while interacting with the team of cyclists. The CM lauded the team's efforts to raise awareness about water conservation, river rejuvenation and environmental protection. The chief minister said the state government was promoting eco-tourism, green energy and tree plantation. Referring to this year's floods caused by heavy discharge of water flowing in from Nepal, Choudhary said that an understanding had been reached between Bihar and Jharkhand on the distribution of water from the Gandak, Kosi and Ganga rivers to address the problem. He said that the Indrapuri Barrage would be expanded further and water from the Sone river would be linked to the Falgu river. Choudhary said around 18.1 million women had joined self-help groups, while 5 million women had received financial assistance of Rs.10,000 each while highlighting the initiatives being taken for women empowerment in the state. The government's objective was to make all women in Bihar financially empowered by 2030, he said. Choudhary said that the state was working to improve irrigation facilities and move towards becoming a developed state. "Bihar's historical legacy, including its association with the teachings of Lord Buddha, was also being promoted," he said. The chief minister congratulated the cycling team, which is travelling from Janakpur Dham in Nepal to Dehradun through various Indian states, for its efforts to promote environmental awareness. Chief minister Samrat Choudhary along with BJP national president Nitin Nabin visted several Durga puja pandals on Saturday on the occasion of Maha Saptami and prayed to Goddess Durga for the prosperity, peace and progress of the state. The CM visited one pandal at Jadgeo path, Boring road roundabout and Boring road and offered prayers. Several BJP leaders and officials including state president of BJP Sanjay Saraogi, Sanjay Mayukh, MLC , vice chairman of Bihar state child labour commission Arvind Kumar Singh, DM, Patna Kundan Kumar, SSP, Patna Kartikey Sharma and others....