Indigenous and community-oriented strategies are essential for the rehabilitation of degraded deltaic wetlands. In India, notably Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, such approaches are becoming integral to Krishna Basin initiatives. Satellite time-series analyses from the Krishna–Godavari delta show that mangrove afforestation and sediment control have helped coastal wetlands recover from human-induced degradation. Similar GIS-informed research across India combines field-based biodiversity knowledge with spatial technologies to create community-driven upland and coastal wetland conservation networks. From Goa’s Khazan saltmarsh agro-aqua farms to Pulicat Lagoon’s padu fishing commons and Loktak Lake’s phumdi-based fishery, traditional water management systems preserve hydrology, fisheries, and livelihoods through collective action, adaptive governance, and ecosystem services. Local fishermen and government support have reduced habitat degradation and protected remnant mangrove forests in the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary and nearby mangrove habitats. A new national synthesis emphasizes the role of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in storm protection, wetland vegetation, and fisheries management and advocates for inclusive governance systems that use local institutions and cultural norms to maintain wetlands. Government programs like the “Jal Kranti Abhiyan” promote local water-harvesting wisdom. Based on case studies and policies, this chapter presents a scalable model for the Krishna Basin: (i) document indigenous water and habitat management practices; (ii) collaboratively design restoration protocols like sediment trapping, mangrove protection, and padu fisheries with local communities; (iii) integrate traditional monitoring with remote sensing and citizen science; and (iv) institutionalize indigenous governance through local bodies and education. This hybrid Adaptive Traditions framework strengthens wetland resilience, promotes livelihoods, and preserves riverine communities’ culture, providing a replicable model for recovering India’s deltaic wetland ecosystems.