WHAT IS THE LIVING LAKES NETWORK?
Living Lakes is an international network coordinated by the Global Nature Fund (GNF) to enhance the protection, restoration and rehabilitation of lakes and wetlands around the world. GNF seeks partnerships with decision-makers, communities and private companies to preserve the quality and quantity of water in lakes, wetlands and other water bodies, as well as their biodiversity through sustainable use and development.
The Living Lakes network currently supports 113 member lakes, wetlands and other freshwater bodies on a global scale, which are represented by 130 public and private organizations in 50 countries.
On May 28, 2020 the Binational Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT, “Autoridad Binacional Autónoma del Sistema Hídrico del Lago Titicaca, Lago Poopó, Río Desaguadero y Salar de Coipasa”) became an official member of the Living Lakes network to promote the conservation and sustainable management of Lake Titicaca, a territory shared by Perú and Bolivia.
OBJECTIVES OF THE NETWORK
- Conserving the biodiversity and ecosystem services of lakes and wetlands.
- Preserving fresh and saline water resources of wetlands and lake ecosystems.
- Restoring altered and disappearing wetlands and lake ecosystems.
- Improving the quality of life for the local communities.
- Building a commitment towards a sustainable use and development of these ecosystems (for example, through agriculture, fishery, tourism, settlement and water use).
- Promoting the use of applied sciences and technologies towards the conservation of these ecosystems.
- Supporting educational programs and cooperation with local communities towards the conservation of the biodiversity of these ecosystems.
- Share relevant information for the conservation of these ecosystems.
The Living Lakes network has been established in the framework of the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project, on behalf of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumers Protection and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMUV).
The project will contribute to a global initiative for the conservation and restoration of lakes and wetlands, promoting the protection of their biodiversity and ecosystem services. The emphasis lies on capacity building in 10 implementing countries with global reach, and the involvement of key stakeholders. The project aims to improve the understanding of lakes and wetlands as habitats of high value worldwide, and the impact of policies for their preservation at various governmental levels.
Living Lakes has a strong focus on knowledge and technology transfer and capacity building in target groups such as local communities, government officials, farmers, fishermen and providers of tourist services. The project will reduce the negative impact of inadequate management practices on lakes.
The project will start in Cambodia, Colombia, India, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa and Sri Lanka as pilot countries, with the following expected outcomes:
- Knowledge and technology transfer.
- Demonstration of innovative techniques for the restoration of lakes and the reduction of negative impacts on these ecosystems.
- Dissemination and lobbying for the approval of legislative plans and actions for lake and wetland conservation.
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