Context: Five more wetlands have been added to the list of Wetlands of International Importance under Ramsar Convention. This takes total number of wetland sites from India listed as Wetlands of International Importance under Ramsar Convention to 80 from earlier 75.
This was announcement was made on the eve of World Wetlands Day, 2024. With the addition of these five wetlands to List of Wetlands of International Importance, the total area covered under Ramsar sites is now 1.33 million ha which is an increase of 5,523.87 ha from existing area (of 1.327 million ha. Tamil Nadu continues to have maximum number of Ramsar Sites (16 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites).
- Karaivatti Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
- One of largest inland wetlands of Tamil Nadu with an area of 453 hectares.
- Provides important stopover and foraging ground for bird migrating along the Central Asian Flyway.
- Gum Arabic tree (Acacia nilotica) provides roosting and nesting grounds for threatened species such as spotted eagle, tawny eagle and Indian darter.
- When the water level starts receding after January, larger birds such as painted stork flock to the site.
- The site provides breeding habitat for vulnerable Indian flap-shelled turtle.
- This site has one of the largest congregations of waterbirds in Tamil Nadu.
- During the driest period, water from the Mettur dam on Cauvery River is used to maintain water level of this site.
- Vulnerable Bonnet Macaque is present at this site and leads to human-wildlife conflict.
- Madai Kere Conservation Reserve, Karnataka
- Manmade wetland constructed to store rainwater for irrigation purposes in Gadag district of Karnataka.
- Water in the wetland have overtime become increasingly alkaline and unsuitable for irrigation.
- This wetland harbours two vulnerable species, namely Common pochard and River tern and four near-threatened species, namely Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Wooly-necked Stork, Northern Shoveler and Painted Stork.
- This wetland is one of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose in South India.
- The wetland is a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBBA).
- Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu
- This site features intermittent freshwater marshes and streams nested within a 'shola', tropical montane forest of south India.
- Located on the eastern slope of Nilgiri mountain range.
- This site has high endemism, with multiple species of trees, reptiles, frogs and birds.
- Noteworthy plant species at the site include Bourne's beak-rusk and Wight's cinnamon.
- These forested wetlands serve as habitats for globally endangered Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin and vulnerable Nilgiri wood-pigeon.
- 14 out of 26 endemic bird species of Western Ghats are found in these wetlands.
About Shola Forests
Sholas are found in the upper reaches of Niligiris, Anamalais, Palni hills, Kalakadu, Mundanthurai and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Shola forests are tropical montane forests found in the valleys separated by rolling grasslands in higher elevations. They occur only in the valleys where occurrence of fog and mist is low.
Shola forests have a high water retention capacity and support origin and maintenance of streams and rivers in Western Ghats which provides sources of water for high elevation organisms.
Generally, Shola forests are found from 2000 meters above sea level.
However, in certain hilly regions of South India, they can be found at 1600 meters elevation.
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- Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Karnataka
- A manmade village irrigation tank built for storing monsoon run-off water coming from the Tungabhadra River.
- Located near Hampi in Vijayanagara district.
- Several thousands of Gum Arabic trees (locally known as Karijali) are found growing from the lakebed. These trees provide nesting and roosting habitat for large colonial waterbirds.
- Ecologically important wetland, rich in biodiversity with many species of plants, mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, frogs, butterflies and odonates.
- Over 30,000 waterbirds nest and roost at this wetland supporting more than 1% of biogeographic population of Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis.
- This site have 9 endemic fish species. Ex. Tiger loach, Aruli barb and Nukta etc.
- Excessive growth of invasive alligator weed, shrub Prosopis juliflora and African Catfish found here, threaten the native fish and waterbirds.
- Aghanashini Estuary, Karnataka
- An estuary built at the confluence of Aghanashini River with Arabian Sea.
- Brackish water from the estuary provides diverse ecosystem services including flood and erosion risk mitigation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood support.
- Provides livelihood to 6000-7500 families by supporting fishing, agriculture, collection of edible bivalves and crabs, shrimp aquaculture, traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice fields (locally known as Gazni rice fields), bivalve shell collection and salt production.
- Mangroves bordering the estuary help to protect the shores against storms and cyclones.
- This estuary supports over 43,000 birds from 66 waterbird species and over 1% of biogeographic population of 15 waterbird species (including River tern , Oriental darter, Lesser black-backed gull, Wooly necked stork, Eurasian oystercatcher etc.)
About Aghanashini River Aghanashini River (also known as Tadri River) originates in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka. The river has a length of 181 kilometers which passes through valleys and gorges of a forested mountainous terrain before reaching a narrow coast where the river widens into a sprawling estuary, meeting the Arabian Sea at Kumta in Uttara Kannda district. The estuary is located between tourist town of Gokarna (north of estuary) and Kumta (south of estuary). The estuary supports traditional fishermen communities such as Ambigas, Harikantras and Dajlis. Locals have been cultivating a salt-tolerant rice called Kagga in the estuarine rice fields. |
World Wetlands Day
- World Wetlands Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of Ramsar Convention on 2nd February 1971.
- The theme of WWD-2024 is ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ which underscores the critical role wetlands play in enhancing our lives. It highlights how wetlands contribute to flood protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, all of which are essential for human health and prosperity.
Know about: 75 Ramsar Sites in India
Know about: Wetlands and Ramsar Convention