Four more wetlands declared Ramsar Sites in India

Context: Recently, India has added four new Ramsar sites, bringing the total to 89. This move highlights Tamil Nadu’s lead with 20 Ramsar sites and marks the 1^st Ramsar sites for Sikkim and Jharkhand, underscoring India’s commitment to wetland conservation.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Ramsar Sites in India. 

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

• It is an international agreement for the preservation and responsible use of wetlands.
• The agreement was signed on February 2, 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The date is annually celebrated as World Wetlands Day. 
• Wetlands are the places where water either covers the soil or is present at or near the soil's surface year-round or for different parts of the year, including the growing season. 
• Ramsar Convention categorises various natural and human-made diverse water bodies, and habitats as wetlands:
  • Natural: Oases, estuaries, deltas, mangroves, coastal areas, coral reefs
  • Human: Fishponds, rice paddies, and reservoir. 

Ramsar Sites in India

• India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites to 89, by designating four more wetlands as Ramsar sites. Jharkhand and Sikkim received their first Ramsar designations.
• Newly Added Ramsar Sites (February 2025)
  • Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
  • Therthangal Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu)
  • Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim)
  • Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand)
• Previously in November 2024, Ramsar Site certificates were given away to:
  • Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
  • Nakti Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
  • Tawa Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh
  • Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
  • Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

1. Udhwa Lake: 

• First Ramsar site in Jharkhand.
• Falls within the Gangetic Plains bio-geographic zone
• Named after: Saint Uddhava of Mahabharat times, a friend of Lord Krishna.
• Udhwa Lake Wildlife Sanctuary is identified as an ‘Important Bird Area’.
  • The Sanctuary has two water bodies: Patauran and Berhale, interconnected by a water channel. 
  • The Sanctuary is connected to the Ganga River through a 25 km long water channel known as the Udhuwa Nala, at Farraka. 
• Species found: 
  • Both aquatic and terrestrial birds are found, including rarities like Nordmann’s greenshank or Spotted greenshank. Important birds found are:
    • Black-necked stork (Near threatened)
    • Oriental white-backed vulture (Critically Endangered)

2. Khecheopalri Wetland:

• First Ramsar site in Sikkim.
• Location: Demazong valley, West Sikkim
  • Located at an elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level in the Eastern Himalayas.
  • The mighty Kanchenjunga peak serves as a majestic background.
• Threats: The wetland is presently under increased pressure from land-use changes and tourism, which have proved to cause sedimentation and pollution.
• Other facts: Khecheopalri is a sacred site for both Buddhists and Hindus and is often described as a "wish-fulfilling lake."

3. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary: 

• Location: 
  • Peri-urban wetland located within three villages in Tamil Nadu.
  • Located close to the Gulf of Mannar on the Central Asian flyway, a regular route for the migratory birds from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Importance: 
  • This wetland acts as a breeding ground for several Resident/Resident-Migrant species of waterfowl.
  • It supports more than 120 species of birds, and in 2012, the Site was designated as a bird sanctuary.
    • The abundant babul trees provide ideal nesting habitat for eight bird species, including the near-threatened spot-billed pelican.  
  • It plays a crucial role in:
    • Maintaining the hydrological regime of the area
    • Preventing soil erosion
    • Replenishing groundwater
    • Serving as a buffer during floods and extreme rainfall. 

4. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary

• Location: Marshy lake located within Therthangal village in Tamil Nadu.
• It lies along the Central Asian Flyway (important flyways for migratory birds around the world). 
• Important species found:
  • Egyptian vulture (Endangered)
  • Indian spotted eagle (Vulnerable)
• Importance: It plays a crucial role in climate regulation, recharging of groundwater, and irrigation.