Lake Uru Uru, located in the Bolivian highlands, was once a thriving sanctuary for flamingos and nearly 80 species of migratory birds. Today, its once-pristine banks are littered with garbage and waste, threatening the lake’s delicate ecosystem. However, local volunteers and eco-activists have been working tirelessly to restore this once-beautiful habitat.

"It used to be a lake. Our grandparents told us stories of hunting and fishing here. Now, it's become a lake of plastic bottles and garbage," says Florencio Aguilar, a leader of the indigenous Uru people who have lived near the lake for generations.

Since 2021, more than 19 hectares of the lake and its shores have been cleaned with the help of volunteers, including 50 members of the indigenous Uru community. They’ve relied on native reeds, called totora, known for their ability to absorb toxic metals and pollutants from the water. So far, over 3,000 totora reeds have been planted in the most polluted areas.

The impact has been significant. Lab tests have shown that in areas where the reeds were planted, pollution levels have dropped by 30%.

Once home to around 120,000 flamingos, the lake’s population has been reduced to half that number due to the degradation of the ecosystem. But thanks to the ongoing efforts, wildlife is gradually returning.

As the cleanup continues, more birds are finding their way back to the only remaining untouched sections of the lake.