In Kerala’s Vembanad Lake, black clam harvests—once the backbone of local livelihoods—are declining. Thousands of fisherfolk are affected. The problem is due in part to changing salinity levels in the water that are disrupting natural breeding conditions. The change is caused by the Thanneermukkom Bund, a 1.4 kilometer barrage about 20 minutes upstream — that was meant to keep saline water from the sea in the northern half of the lake. Now, communities are changing their mindset, learning to steward the lake and its offerings rather than seeing it as a never-ending resource. And their collective efforts are bringing change, reviving harvests and safeguarding the lake’s biodiversity.