Over the past two decades, Bihar has witnessed rapid growth in urbanization, mostly centred in and around the capital. Large tracts of low-lying land and “jalla” (wetlands) have been converted into residential and commercial areas, while “bagh” zones (orchards) have been urbanized. This transformation has led to the loss of the natural drainage system, worsening the flooding crisis in Bihar.
As the sun dips over the Ganga during the Chhath Puja in Bihar, thousands gather along its ghats in reverence, a tradition that symbolizes the deep bond between Bihar’s people and its water bodies. Yet today, the very wetlands that nurture this relationship are under threat. In recent months, Bihar has made headlines with the addition of two of its wetlands, Gokul Jalashay in Buxar and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran, to the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance. This recognition not only underscores the ecological richness of the Ganga floodplain but also draws renewed attention to the mounting threats faced by wetlands around Patna and across the basin.
The state has a total of 21,998 wetlands, covering 4,03,209 hectares of land (National Wetlands Atlas). However, in recent years, the Ganga floodplain in Bihar has been reported to have lost 4,070 hectares, representing a 4.1% decline in the wetland area between 2008 and 2023. Wetlands, often referred to as “kidneys of the Landscape”, are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet, playing a crucial role in water purification, flood regulation, and groundwater recharge.
This article attempts to analyse the changing state of wetlands over the years, focusing specifically on Patna, where rapid urbanization, encroachment, and administrative mismanagement have significantly impacted the wetland ecosystem, leading to serious ecological and social consequences.
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Over the past two decades, Bihar has witnessed rapid growth in urbanization, mostly centred in and around the capital. Patna has seen a rise in population from 2.8 lakh in 1951 to 20.4 lakh in 2011 (Kumar, 2019). The demographic expansion has been accompanied by extensive land use change, large-scale construction activities, and encroachment, all of which have ultimately led to immense pressure on the Ganga floodplains in Patna. The single biggest threat arises out is the conversion of wetland areas for urban sprawl and agricultural activities.
Since 1951, Patna has undergone continuous horizontal and vertical expansion, with the pace accelerating after 2001. Large tracts of low-lying land and “jalla” (wetlands) have been converted into residential and commercial areas, while “bagh” zones (orchards) have been urbanized. This transformation has led to the loss of the natural drainage system, worsening the flooding crisis in Bihar. More than 60% of the wetlands have been lost due to urbanization, as per reports by ADRI India (2023).
Encroachments are now a predominant feature found along the Patna wetland’s stretch. Both temporary bamboo structures and permanent construction have proliferated near wetland zones. Such encroachments are often associated with an increase in solid waste, sewerage discharge, and wastewater disposal, leading to severe contamination and altered hydrology of these ecosystems. Reflecting this degradation, a report by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) has revealed alarming levels of pollution in the state’s rivers and wetlands. It was found that most of these water bodies have failed to meet the prescribed water quality standards due to high bacterial contamination, including elevated levels of faecal and total coliforms, rendering water unsafe even for bathing and drinking purposes.
The construction and expansion of linear infrastructure settlements, like roads and power lines, are further fragmenting and destroying wetland habitats. The ongoing construction of the Ganga Expressway has emerged as one of the most destructive interventions in these riparian wetlands. Massive sedimentation from construction activities has altered the natural hydrology of the river system. The main course of the Ganga is shifting away from its bank, particularly along the stretch of the main Patna city, where a 2.5 km – 3.5 km lateral shift has been recorded in most of the ghats (ADRI India, 2023). The peri-urban wetland of Patna has consequently become a dumping ground for solid wastes and sewage, rendering it particularly vulnerable to ecological collapse.
Moreover, urban planning frameworks such as the Master Plan 2031 and Smart City Mission (2017) have extended Patna’s urban footprints deep into the peri–urban and semi–rural zones. While aimed at modernization, these initiatives risk accelerating wetland degradation by prioritizing modern built-up infrastructure over natural resource conservation. The lack of integration between city planning and wetland management, along with weak enforcement of environmental regulations, has further worsened the situation. Administrative inaction and overlapping jurisdiction between municipal bodies and environmental agencies have resulted in ineffective protection of the Ganga floodplains.
Sociological Effects due to Shrinkage of the Ganga Wetlands
Communities such as the Nishad and Mallah, who are traditionally dependent on these wetlands for fishing, face increasing challenges as wetland areas continue to shrink. In districts like Katihar and Begusarai, where a significant portion of the local economy depends on wetland-based fisheries, communities have been suffering from declining catches and vanishing livelihoods.
The shrinking wetlands have also reduced agricultural productivity in the adjoining floodplains, pushing farmers and fisherfolk to migrate to cities in search of alternative sources of livelihood.
Beyond their economic significance, these wetlands are deeply integrated into the cultural and religious fabric, serving as centres of devotion during festivals like Chhath Puja and Ganga Dussehra. Some wetlands also hold immense historical and cultural significance, such as the Anjani Talaab in Buxar, which is linked to the Ramayana and is being considered for inclusion in the “Ramayana Tourism Circuit”.
However, rituals, local fairs, and folk traditions once associated with water bodies are declining, as wetland sites, which are considered sacred, are being encroached upon or degraded, further leading to the dilution of cultural identity. The story of Patna floodplains is not merely one environmental loss; it is a story of vanishing heritage, disrupted livelihoods, and forgotten bonds between people and nature. If these living ecosystems continue to disappear under concrete, the Ganga floodplain will lose not only its biodiversity but also its soul.
Gautam Kumar Mishra is a TRIP intern under Hamra Bihar.
Mentored and Edited by Sneha Yadav.
References
- Asian Development Research Institute. (2023). ADRI newsletter. https://www.adriindia.org/images/newsletter/1609741777Newsletter.pdf.
- Bennett, C. & Co. L. (2023, February 3). Shrinking wetlands a cause of concern. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/shrinking-wetlands-a-cause-of-concern/articleshow/97567217.cms.
- Bihar State Wetland Authority. (n.d.). Home. https://bswa.bihar.gov.in/.
- National Mission for Clean Ganga. (2025, March 10). Wetland inventory: Gangetic floodplain wetlands of Bihar [Technical report]. https://gyanganga.ai/admin//fileupload//NMCG%20Technical%20Report_Wetland%20Inventory%20Bihar_10-03-2025.pdf