Story Publication logo March 9, 2018

Loktak Wetland

Country:

Author:
Image by Neeta Satam. India, 2017.
English

The floating islands of Loktak Lake, known as “phumdis,” are home to unique animals and plants and...

SECTIONS
The floating islands of Loktak Lake, known as “phumdis,” home to animals, plants, and an indigenous community, are threatened by development. Image by Neeta Satam. India, 2017.
The floating islands of Loktak Lake, known as “phumdis,” home to animals, plants, and an indigenous community, are threatened by development. Image by Neeta Satam. India, 2017.

This photo series gives viewers a close-up view of Loktak Lake, a wetland of immense social, cultural and economic importance to the indigenous communities of Manipur, India, and home to numerous species including the endangered Sangai deer.

Phumdis—a floating biomass—are a feature unique to Loktak wetland. Phumdis change shape according to the season and move around the lake surface, playing a critical role in water cleansing, nutrient absorption, flood control, and carbon sequestration. Development, poor natural resource management policies, climate change, and regional conflict threaten this rare ecosystem.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED TOPICS

yellow halftone illustration of an elephant

Topic

Environment and Climate Change

Environment and Climate Change

Support our work

Your support ensures great journalism and education on underreported and systemic global issues