PATNA, June 12 -- In a groundbreaking stride for environmental conservation, Bihar's Nathmalpur Bhagad wetland in Bhojpur district is set to emerge as a beacon of ecological restoration because of a pioneering Rs.3.51 crore project fully funded by the Central government. Launched under the Namami Gange Mission (NGM)-II, this first-of-its-kind initiative in Bihar promises to breathe new life into the ecosystem, blending cutting-edge science with sustainable community development. As the state's wetlands take centerstage, Nathmalpur Bhagad is poised to redefine conservation in eastern India, officials said. On June 2, Bihar's department of environment, forest and climate change (DEFCC), secured the administrative approval to transform Nathmalpur Bhagad, a critical wetland at the confluence of the Ghaghara, Gomti and Sone rivers with the Ganga. Spanning four years (2025-29) across two phases, the project is a bold step towards preserving one of Bihar's 4,416 wetlands mapped in the National Wetland Atlas (2010). With an additional 17,582 smaller wetlands dotting the state, this initiative marks a historic milestone as Bihar's first wetland conservation effort entirely backed by Central funds. As per the Central government's approval letter, DEFCC has been vested with the responsibility to execute the conservation plan. Buoyed by the Centre's decision to bear all expenses for restoration of Nathmalpur Bhagad wetland, additional chief secretary, DEFCC, Harjot Kaur Bamhrah told a news agency that Nathmalpur Bhagad is the first wetland in Bihar to be conserved with 100% Central funding. "This isn't just about saving a wetland, it's about weaving biodiversity and ecosystem services into the Ganga river basin's future. The project's dual-level approach targets both the sub-basin (the river confluence) and the site itself, ensuring a holistic revival of the region's ecological balance," he said. Another senior officer of the DEFCC said that it was a landmark action to preserve the state's environmental legacy. S Chandrashekhar, chief conservator of forests and Bihar's wetland nodal officer,said that the state government is not just conserving Nathmalpur Bhagad, but it is also building a model for sustainable wetland management. Another senior officer of the department said that the department would soon carry out appropriate delineation and demarcation of the wetland. To begin with, the flow of water channel to the wetland would be restored to sustain the ecosystem and safeguard native flora and fauna. Local communities would be engaged in developing livelihoods through the wetland ecosystem. A robust monitoring system will ensure the wetland's long-term health, while compliance with local, national, and international regulations will anchor the project's credibility. The Bihar Economic Survey 2024-25 underscores the state's wetland wealth, with the Bihar State Wetland Authority actively identifying sites for global recognition....