Inle is rich in birds with 57 species of forest birds and 43 species of water birds. Several species of egret, sea gull, commorant, wild duck, and magpie are abundant in northwest Inle. The Inle carp, Cyprinus carpio intha or Nga-phane, plays an important role in local food supply as well as the cultural symbol of ethnic Intha. The carp breed year-round with clean and clear water. However, because of poor water quality, the Nga-phane population has become surprisingly scarce.
People use elephant grass to make mats while pondweeds are used for food by both people and fish.
Although the plant is used for gas production, paper, and bag making, the over abundant population obstructs waterways along the lake. The main business of the Inle Lake region is floating garden agriculture. Tomatoes, the primary cash crop, comprise two-thirds of the region's agriculture. The remaining one-third consists of flowers, vegetables, and sugarcane plantations. The farmers use pesticides and fertilizers for their crops.