Brija wetland provides important resident, wintering and stopover habitats for waders, other water-birds, and small passerines. Due to destination wetlands of many migratory birds, this wetlands have international significance as it also lies close to Jagadishpur reservoir. According to IUCN, 4 migratory bird species found here are critically endangered (Ruddy Kingfisher- Halcyon coromanda; Gull-billed Tern- Gelochelidon nilotica; Caspian Tern- Sterna caspia; Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris, where as 2 migratory birds (White-tailed Eagle- Haliaeetus albicilla Pallas's Fish Eagle- Haliaeetus leucoryphus) are endangered. Likewise 12 migratory birds sighted here are listed as vulnerable species. Birja wetland is home for wild rice. It consists of natural habitat for the existence of two wild relatives of rice Oryza rufipogon and Oryza nivara (Tinni and Tinna).

Situated in Barkalpur VDC of Kapilvastu, the wetland occupied 18 ha in before 2000 AD. But due to eutrophication and siltation coupled with human encroachment, the wetland has been shrinked to 12 ha. Encroachment on wetlands is being increased primarily due to: i) drainage for irrigation, reclamation and fishing, ii) filling in for solid waste disposal, road construction and commercial, residential and industrial development, iii) conversion of lands for aquaculture iv) construction of dams, barrage and other barrier of controlling water flow, v) ground water extraction using high power pumps and digging ditches in sites where there is no inflow of water, vi) discharge of sediments and pollutants from nearby areas, vii) over grazing and ix) removal of soil from the site.

The project aimed to conserve the wetland with active participation of local people and initiate wetland based livelihood options.