Srinagar, July 11 -- The lake had stopped growing lotuses after a flood in 1992 buried the lakebed in thick silt. The water turned dull, and the stems, once harvested for food and income, vanished. Generations of families who depended on lotus farming moved on, believing the gift was lost.

Then, in 2020, something changed. The Wular Conservation and Management Authority started dredging the lake. They removed layers of waste and silt that had built up for decades. They didn't expect the lotus to come back. But as the lake cleared and light reached the bottom again, the old seeds buried deep in the mud began to grow.

At first, just a few flowers appeared. This year, the lake is full of them.

For the people who live near Wular, this mean...