Context: On the eve of World Environment Day, two more wetlands from India - (i) Nagi Bird Sanctuary & (ii) Nakti Bird Sanctuary have been notified as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Both the Ramsar Sites are manmade reservoirs located in Jhajha forest range of Jamui district in Bihar.
India with third largest number of Ramsar Sites
- Currently, United Kingdom (UK) has most number of Ramsar Sites in the world with 175 Ramsar sites followed by Mexico with 144 sites.
- These two Ramsar Sites in India takes the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 82, equal to that of China. India and China have the third largest number of Ramsar Sites at 82 sites each.
Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
- This is a man-made wetland formed after the construction of Nagi Dam on the Nagi River.
- Located in Jamui District of Bihar.
- The site was recognised as bird species in 1984.
- The Dam and the resulting wetland provides habitat to over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants and reptiles and amphibians and also acts as wintering habitat for several migratory species.
- Important species: Indian Elephant (IUCN status: Endangered), Native Catfish (IUCN Status: Vulnerable) and largest congregations of red-crested pochard on the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Nakti Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
- This is a man-made wetland formed after the construction of Nakti Dam on the Nakti River.
- Located in Jamui District of Bihar.
- The site was recognised as bird species in 1984 and also designated as Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by Birdlife International.
- Important species: Baer's pochard (IUCN Status: Critical Endangered) and Steppe Eagle (IUCN Status: Endangered) and also hosts the largest congregations of bar-headed goose on the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
- Note: Nakti River is a tributary of Koel River.
Read also: Ramsar wetlands sites in India