India has designated five new wetlands of International importance
New Delhi: India has designated five new wetlands of International importance, which include three wetlands (Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest & Pichavaram Mangrove) in Tamil Nadu, one (Pala wetland) in Mizoram and one wetland (Sakhya Sagar) in Madhya Pradesh, making a total of 54 Ramsar sites in the country. The Ramsar sites have been increased from 49 to 54 Ramsar sites.
What is RAMSAR Wetland Site:
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value
Wetlands are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems. They provide essential services and supply all our fresh water. However they continue to be degraded and converted to other uses. The Convention uses a broad definition of wetlands. It includes all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and salt pans.
Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to:work towards the wise use of all their wetlands; designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management; cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.
Wetlands in India:
Andhra Pradesh(1): Kolleru Lake
Assam(1): Deepor Beel
Bihar(1): Kanwar Lake
Gujarat(4): Khijadiya, Nalsarovar, Thol Lake, Wadhvana Wetland
Haryana(2): Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
Himachal Pradesh(3): Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka Lake
Jammu and Kashmir(3): Hokersar Wetland, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Wular Lake
kerala(3): Ashtamudi Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake, Vembanad-Kol Wetland
Ladakh(2): Tsomoriri, Tso Kar
Madhya Pradesh(2): Bhoj Wetland,Sakhya Sagar
Maharashtra(2): Nandur Madhameshwar, Lonar Lake
Manipur(1): Loktak Lake
Mizoram(1): Pala Wetland
Odisha(2): Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Chilika Lake
Punjab(6) Beas Conservation Reserve, Harike Wetland, Kanjli Wetland, Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Ropar Wetland
Rajasthan(2): Keoladeo National Park, Sambhar Lake,
Tamil Nadu(4): Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Pichavaram Mangrove
Tripura(1): Rudrasagar Lake
Uttar Pradesh(10): Bakhira Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Sur Sarovar, Upper Ganga River
Uttarakhand(1): Asan Barrage
West Bengal(2): East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarban Wetland