The Global Nature Fund (GNF) and the Living Lakes Network are celebrating World Lake Day 2026 by recognising the Indian Sundarban as Lake of the Year. The designation highlights the extraordinary ecological importance of this unique wetland landscape and the efforts of local communities to protect its ecosystems and strengthen sustainable livelihoods.
The Indian Sundarban form part of the world’s largest contiguous mangrove wetland. Located in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta, this unique landscape is characterised by extensive mangrove forests, rivers, creeks, lakes and wetlands that support exceptional biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services to millions of people.
The Sundarban is home to iconic and threatened species, including the Bengal tiger and the Ganges river dolphin. At the same time, the mangrove ecosystem plays a crucial role in protecting coastal communities from the impacts of climate change. Its dense vegetation acts as a natural barrier against cyclones, storm surges and coastal erosion, helping to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of around 4.5 million people in the Indian Sundarban.
A vital ecosystem under growing pressure
Despite its ecological and social importance, the Sundarban is facing increasing pressures. Rising sea levels, salinisation and more frequent and intense cyclones are threatening the stability of the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
These challenges illustrate why the conservation and restoration of wetlands are essential not only for biodiversity, but also for climate resilience and human well-being. Lakes and wetlands provide a wide range of ecosystem services and can contribute to both climate mitigation and adaptation. The Living Lakes Network therefore promotes nature-based and community-based approaches that combine ecosystem restoration with sustainable development.
Local action for nature and people
In the Indian Sundarban, the Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS) is working alongside local communities to address these challenges and strengthen the resilience of the region.
One important part of this work is community-based mangrove restoration. More than 3,500 women are actively involved in tree nurseries and reforestation efforts, helping to restore and protect the mangrove ecosystem while creating opportunities for local participation.
NEWS is also supporting sustainable livelihoods through initiatives such as sustainable beekeeping, while providing training opportunities for young people. These approaches demonstrate how conservation and community development can reinforce one another, creating benefits for both people and nature.
NEWS has been a member of the Living Lakes Network and is also the coordinating organisation of the Living Lakes Sub-Network in South Asia. Its experience includes mangrove rehabilitation and protection, sustainable beekeeping and community participation in the restoration of the Sundarban ecosystem.
Celebrating local solutions on World Lake Day
The recognition of the Indian Sundarban as Lake of the Year 2026 celebrates more than an exceptional natural landscape. It also recognises the people and organisations working to protect it and highlights the potential of local action and international cooperation to address the challenges facing lakes and wetlands worldwide.
The award reflects the Living Lakes Network’s commitment to supporting the protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems, promoting knowledge exchange and strengthening community-based conservation. Its mission is to enhance the protection, restoration and sustainable use of lakes, wetlands and other freshwater ecosystems while increasing awareness of their multiple values.
This recognition on World Lake Day is therefore both a celebration and a call to action: protecting wetlands means protecting biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience and safeguarding the communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on these vital ecosystems.
Happy World Lake Day!
This initiative is part of the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project, which promotes innovative solutions and knowledge exchange to protect lakes and wetlands worldwide, funded by BMUKN through IKI and supported by German Postcode Lottery, Kärcher, Lonza, Ground Lake, Georg Fischer Foundation, and many individual donors.