India, Feb. 2 -- Sakhichand Sada, a middle-aged landless farm labourer, recalls that Kanwar Lake in Bihar remained dry this year (2025) till July 18 and reported water only after it rained on July 2025. This is badly affecting the growth of wild edible plants. Till last year, he collected kamal gatta (Nelumbo nucifera), sarrukha (Nymphaea sp.), khubahi (Scirpus articulatus), bhent (Nymphaea alba) and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatic) from the wetland for food and also sold part of the collection and earned a few rupees. "Without edible plants and fish, our livelihood is impacted," says Sakhichand, who belongs to the Musahar community, one of the most marginalised in the state.

Bihar has around 0.47 million hectares (Mha) of land under wetl...