Three more Ramsar wetland sites now in India

Three more Ramsar wetland sites now in India

Context:

The Environment Ministry announced that three additional wetlands in India have been designated as Ramsar sites, increasing the total number of such sites in the country to 85.

• The new Ramsar sites include the Nanjarayan and Kazhuveli bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh. This designation highlights India’s commitment to wetland conservation and its significant role within the Ramsar Convention.

Relevance:
GS-03 (Conservation)

Key Highlights:

New Designations:

• Three wetlands have been newly designated as Ramsar sites.
  • Nanjarayan and Kazhuveli bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu .
  • Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.
• This addition brings the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 85, covering an area of 13,58,068 hectares.

India’s Role in Ramsar Convention:

• India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982 and has progressively increased its number of Ramsar sites, particularly since 2014, when 59 new sites were added.
• Tamil Nadu now has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India with 18 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.

Global Comparison:

• India has the highest number of Ramsar sites in South Asia, attributed to its vast geographical and ecological diversity.
• Globally, the United Kingdom and Mexico have the most Ramsar sites, while Bolivia has the largest area under Ramsar protection.

Conservation Responsibility:

• Designation as a Ramsar site requires both the Central and State governments to ensure the conservation and protection of these wetlands from human encroachment and degradation.

About Ramsar Sites:

• A Ramsar site is a wetland area designated as internationally significant under the Ramsar Convention, an international environmental treaty established in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
• The convention, under the auspices of UNESCO, became effective on December 21, 1975.
• Ramsar sites are recognized for their importance in maintaining global biodiversity, particularly as habitats for waterfowl.
• The convention promotes the conservation of wetlands and the sustainable use of their resources through national and international cooperation.
• As of November 2023, there are 2,500 Ramsar sites globally, covering 257,106,360 hectares, with participation from 172 national governments.

Ramsar Sites in India:

• India has been actively involved in wetland conservation through its participation in the Ramsar Convention.
• As of August 2024, India has 85 Ramsar sites covering an area of 13,58,068 hectares. Tamil Nadu leads with the highest number of Ramsar sites (18), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
• The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017 govern the management of these sites in India, although they do not include river channels, paddy fields, or other commercially utilized areas.
• India’s Ramsar sites make up around 10% of the country’s total wetland area, demonstrating the country’s commitment to preserving its rich wetland biodiversity and supporting global environmental sustainability efforts.