Wetlands are celebrated for their role in supporting birds and wildlife, but their importance as a source of food is largely forgotten. Communities have depended on wetland plants—from makhana in Bihar to leafy greens in Uttar Pradesh—for centuries for nutrition, livelihoods and culture. Today, these foods are fast disappearing from our plates, pushed out by neglect, pollution, climate change and a lack of recognition in policy.

This CSE report maps and document India’s wetland plants, recording more than 400 species and the communities that continue to use and protect them. It shows how these plants can contribute to food security, health and climate resilience, if only their value is acknowledged.

By bringing these hidden foods back into focus, this report calls for wetlands to be restored not just as ecosystems, but also as living food systems that sustain both people and nature.