The correct answer is D. All of the above.
Patna, Kishanganj, and Araria are the three largest irrigated districts in Bihar by tubewells. In 2019-20, Patna had a total of 1,26,453 tubewells, Kishanganj had 1,05,662 tubewells, and Araria had 99,271 tubewells. These three districts together account for over 50% of the total number of tubewells in Bihar.
Tubewells are an important source of irrigation in Bihar. They provide water for a variety of crops, including rice, wheat, maize, and vegetables. Tubewells also help to improve the quality of life in rural areas by providing a source of drinking water and a means of irrigation for small farmers.
The use of tubewells has increased significantly in Bihar in recent years. In 2000-01, there were only 50,000 tubewells in the state. This number has increased to over 1.2 million in 2019-20. The increase in the number of tubewells is due to a number of factors, including the availability of electricity, the government’s subsidy on tubewells, and the increasing demand for irrigation water.
The use of tubewells has had a number of positive impacts on Bihar. It has helped to increase agricultural production, improve the quality of life in rural areas, and reduce the dependence on rainfall for irrigation. However, the use of tubewells has also had some negative impacts, such as the depletion of groundwater resources and the contamination of groundwater with pesticides and fertilizers.
The government of Bihar is taking a number of steps to address the negative impacts of tubewells. These steps include promoting the use of drip irrigation, which is more efficient in the use of water, and providing subsidies for the installation of solar-powered tubewells. The government is also working to improve the management of groundwater resources.