Daw Lar Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Karen State, and its unique watershed provides a natural habitat for a diversity of plants, fish, birds, turtles, and other types of flora and fauna. Over generations, the local communities have developed knowledge and livelihoods that allow them to subsist from the lake and its surrounding natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The ecological integrity of the lake area is vital to local communities, who for generations have practiced functional and sustainable forms of resource governance. For local people, the ‘value’ of the lake is not measured solely by the economic productivity of the lake but is grounded in a holistic set of practices embracing religious, cultural, economic, and customary legal systems which are interconnected with the rich biodiversity of the lake’s watershed.
Therefore, local communities are working hard to save and protect this lake. Please see the video for detail.