We aim at aligning Project Lake, Wetland and Mangrove Conservation with national missions and initiatives in India that support water conservation, aquatic ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate action.

The project is particularly relevant to programmes and initiatives such as the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, Mission Amrit Sarovar, Swachh Bharat Mission, National Wetland Conservation Programme, Green India Mission and national initiatives for wetland and mangrove conservation

Project Lake, Wetland and Mangrove Conservation also aims to explore convergence with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly: SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation,

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 – Climate Action, SDG 14 – Life Below Water and SDG 15 – Life on Land.

The project contributes to the broader objectives of ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, sustainable water management and community participation.

Project Lake, Wetland and Mangrove Conservation is supported by interactive learning resources, educational modules, science-based animation programmes, digital field guides and technology tools.

Workshops and training programmes provide lake stewards and local stakeholders with practical learning experiences related to lake conservation, wetland ecology, mangrove restoration, biodiversity, water quality, ecosystem and climate resilience.

The project encourages participants to learn through direct observation and field-based activities and to use scientific information and locally collected data to understand local issues and develop practical conservation solutions. Digital learning resources and Citizen Science tools further enable students and communities to contribute to the understanding and conservation of local ecosystems.

Floating floriculture involves growing selected plants and flowering species on specially designed floating platforms placed on the surface of a lake. While the plants grow above the water, their roots extend into it, helping absorb excess nutrients and creating a habitat for beneficial microorganisms and aquatic life. Floating floriculture technique helps absorb nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the water. This helps reduce excess nutrients that contribute to algal growth and declining water quality. The roots provide surfaces for beneficial microorganisms, which can help break down organic matter and support natural water-cleaning processes.

Floating floriculture creates small habitats for insects, pollinators and aquatic organisms, helping to enhance local biodiversity. Flowering plants add colour and beauty, making lakes more attractive and encouraging communities to reconnect with their waterbodies. Floating floriculture can also create opportunities for local communities and self-help groups through plant cultivation, maintenance and monitoring. Floating floriculture is about using nature to restore nature — creating healthier lakes, richer biodiversity and stronger, more resilient communities.

A healthy lake depends on a delicate balance of native plants, aquatic life and clean water. Invasive species such as water hyacinth can quickly disrupt this balance. Water hyacinth can form dense mats on the water surface, blocking sunlight and reducing oxygen levels. This can affect fish, aquatic organisms and native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, interfere with water flow, and ultimately impact the ecological health of the lake. Managing invasive species is therefore an important part of lake conservation. The real opportunity lies in involving local communities in a sustainable approach to managing these plants.

With the right training and skills, community members can learn to collect, process and transform water hyacinth into useful, eco-friendly products such as baskets, mats, bags and other handicrafts. This can create livelihood opportunities while reducing the pressure of invasive species on the lake. In this way, lake conservation becomes more than an environmental effort—it becomes a community-led initiative. By connecting people with the lake, building skills and creating sustainable livelihoods, we can turn an ecological issue into an opportunity. When communities become stewards of their lakes, conservation becomes a shared responsibility—helping restore healthier lakes and build a more resilient future.

The Citizen Science approach within Project Lake, Wetland and Mangrove Conservation strengthens STEM learning by connecting classroom education with real-world conservation issues affecting lakes, wetlands and coastal ecosystems.

Students and teachers participate in practical science-based activities such as biodiversity surveys, water-quality monitoring, bird and butterfly observations, tree and plant identification, mangrove monitoring, habitat assessments, mapping of water bodies, rainfall observations and climate-related monitoring.

Through these activities, students learn how to collect, record and analyse environmental data and understand changes taking place within local ecosystems. Digital field guides, mobile applications, e-learning resources and other technology tools further support data collection and learning.

These experiences help develop scientific inquiry, observation, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving and environmental awareness. The project makes STEM education more engaging and meaningful while encouraging students to become active contributors to the conservation of their local natural environments.

• Conservation and restoration of lakes, wetlands, mangroves and their surrounding biodiversity.
• Build the capacity of lake stewards, Self-Help Groups and community members to participate effectively in ecosystem conservation and restoration.
• Understanding the role of aquatic ecosystems in water security, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and community well-being.
• Emerging role of lakes, wetlands and mangroves as nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation, including flood protection, shoreline stabilisation and carbon storage.
• Plantation and protection of native species and restoration of habitats.
• Nature-based solutions for improving ecosystem health and strengthening climate resilience.
• Increase awareness about the impacts of invasive species, pollution, waste and climate change on aquatic ecosystems.
• Knowledge and awareness about the ecological, social and economic importance of lakes, wetlands and mangroves.
• Strengthen the understanding of the relationship between healthy ecosystems, human well-being, water security, biodiversity and sustainable development.
• Citizen Science programmes for student and teachers to develop knowledge and skills related to biodiversity assessment, habitat and water-quality monitoring and ecosystem mapping.
• Inspire various stakeholders to take small positive steps towards protecting and restoring local ecosystem.

CAll of us can contribute towards protecting lakes, wetlands and mangroves through small positive actions in our everyday lives. Avoiding littering, reducing plastic waste, preventing pollutants from entering drains and water bodies, conserving water and keeping local water bodies clean can help protect aquatic ecosystems.

Communities can participate in lake and wetland clean-up activities, biodiversity surveys, tree and native species planting, bird and butterfly monitoring, water-quality observations and awareness programmes. Supporting the protection of natural vegetation around water bodies and avoiding activities that damage wetland and mangrove habitats are equally important.

Communities can create nature gardens, native plant areas, biodiversity corners and learning spaces around local water bodies. Students and teachers can monitor birds, butterflies, plants, water quality and other indicators of ecosystem health and share their observations through Citizen Science programmes.

Communities living near coastal ecosystems can support mangrove conservation and restoration, protect natural shorelines and avoid activities that damage young mangrove plants and their habitats.

By taking small positive actions and working together, communities, schools, conservation practitioners and local stakeholders can become stewards of their lakes, wetlands and mangroves. These collective efforts can help conserve biodiversity, improve water security, strengthen climate resilience and protect healthy ecosystems for future generations.