Ramsar Sites Part 2

Ramsar Sites – Part 2

List of Ramsar Sites in India

A-G

Andhra Pradesh:

Kolleru Lake:

  • It is the largest shallow freshwater lake in Asia.
  • The lake is a habitat for around 20 million resident and migratory birds, including the grey or spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis).
  • It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1999 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and designated a wetland of international importance in 2002 under the Ramsar Convention.

Assam:

Deepor Beel:

  • It was designated a wetland of international importance in 2002 under the Ramsar Convention.
  • A beel is a billabong or a lake-like wetland with static water instead of flowing water.
  • It is categorised as representative of the wetland type under the Burma monsoon forest biogeographic region.

Bihar:

Kabar Taal Lake:

  • Kabar Taal Lake is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake, it was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2020 and thus became the first Ramsar site in Bihar.
  • It was formed due to meandering of Burhi Gandak river, a tributary of Ganga, in the geological past.
  • The Wetland is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory waterbirds species using it to rest.

Goa:

Nanda lake:

  • It is the first and only Ramsar wetland site in Goa and was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.

Gujrat:

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary:

  • The sanctuary is unique having both fresh water lakes, salt and freshwater marshlands.
  • About 300 species of migratory birds have been found here.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2022.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary:

  • It is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India.
  • The lake attracts over 210 species of birds in the winter and hosts a variety of plants and animals.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2012.

Thol Lake:

  • It is an artificial lake constructed as an irrigation tank in 1912.
  • The two most prominent species of birds recorded in the sanctuary are flamingoes and sarus crane.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.

Wadhvana wetland:

  • It was formed as a result of a reservoir created due to an irrigation dam in 1910.
  • The Wadhvana Wetland is considered internationally important as it provides a wintering ground to migratory water birds that migrate on the Central Asian Flyway.
  • It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.