On the dawn-lit shores of Kollam, Baby’s morning unfolds with the familiar rhythm of his father’s fishing routine: steady and shaped by the sea’s unpredictability. But today, something is different. A festival fair stirs the coastal town awake, filling the air with aromas and anticipation. Memories of the past linger as the community gathers, and the day unravels into a poignant reflection of resilience. Can the spirit of the sea and society endure the tides of change?

Urban wetlands in India are often overlooked – from their ecological importance and rapid decline to the challenges and innovative efforts in their conservation. Through case studies from both major metros and smaller cities, Nāgrika sheds light on how these watery ecosystems sustain our cities and why protecting them matters more than ever in this report.