Loktak Wetland

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.