Wetland Sites in India (Environment)

§Ramsar Wetland Sites:-

#) "Ramsar wetland sites are wetlands that're listed on the list of wetlands of international importance."

#) Also known as - wetland list.

#) As per, the year of 2024, the number of 85 wetlands are present in India.

#) Highest number of wetlands are found in the state of Tamilnadu (18) followed by the state of Uttar Pradesh (10), Odisha& Punjab(6).

#) Ramsar wetland sites found in 23 States of the India.

#) List of Ramsar wetland sites in India, given below are-

1) Laddakh(2):- Tsokar WC, Tsomoriri lake

2) J&K(5):- Hokersar WC, Hygam, Sallabugh, Surinsar-Mansar lake, Wular lake 

3) Himachal Pradesh(3):- Chandra Taal, Pong dam lake, Renuka lake 

4) Uttarakhand(1):- Asan Barrage 

5) Bihar (3):- Nagi BS, Nakti BS, Kanwar lake

6) Uttar Pradesh(10):- Saman BS, Sur Sarovar, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Nawabganj BS, Samaspur BS, Sandi BS, Parvati Aranga BS, Upper Ganga river, Haidarpur Wetland, Bakhira BR.

7)Assam(1):- Deepar Beel

8) Manipur (1):- Loktak Lake

9)Mizoram (1):- Pala Wetland 

10) Tripura(1):- Rudrasagar lake 

11)West Bengal(2):- East Kolkata, Sundarban 

12)Odisha(6):- Chilka, Tampara, Ansupa lake, Bhitarkanika mangroves, Satkosia gorge, Hirakund Reservoir

13)Andhra Pradesh(1):- Kolleru lake

14) Tamil Nadu(18):- Pallikarnai Marsh RF, Longwood Shola RF, Pichawaram Mangroves, Gulf of Mannar Marine BR, Vembannur WC, Suchindram Therur WC.

Bird-sanctuaries:- Karikili, Point Calimere, Koonthankulam, Vellode, Vendanthangal, Chitrangudi, Vaduvur, Kanjirankulam, Karaivetti, Udhyamarthanpuram, Nanjarayan, Kazhuveli.

15)Kerala(3):- Sasthamkotta lake, Ashtamudi lake, Vembanad-Kol wetland.

16) Karnataka(4):- Rangnathituu BS, Aghansini estuary, Magadhi kere CR, Ankasamudra Bird CR 

17) Goa(1):- Nanda lake.

18) Maharashtra(3):- Nandur Madhmaheshwar, Lonar lake, Thane creek

19) Madhya Pradesh(5):- Bhoj wetland, Sirpur wetland, Sankhya Sagar lake, Tawa Reservoir, Yashwant Sagar 

20) Gujarat (4):- Thol lake, Wadhvana wetland, Khijadia BS, Nalsarovar BS

21) Rajasthan(2):- Keoladeo NP, Sambhar lake 

22) Haryana (2):- Sultanpur NP, Bhindwas WLS

23)Punjab(6):- Beas Conservation Reserve, Nangal WLS, Harike, Kanjli, Ropar wetland, Keshopur-Miani CR.

§Importance of Ramsar wetland sites:-

#)  They're important because they help conserve wetlands & biological diversity 

#)  Ramsar sites protected under -  Ramsar Convention.

#) Wetlands provide many important resources & ecosystem services, including food, water, fiber & ground water recharge.

#) Important for sustaining the Human life.

#)Ramsar sites are chosen for their ecological, botanical , zoological & hydrological importance.

#)Important life-cycle for species.

#) Specifically for Waterbirds or Fish.

#) Wetlands are among world's most productive environment.

§ Read with fully heedness:-

#) Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Ramsar(Iran).

#)It came into force in 1975, received by UNESCO.

#) India signed on Ramsar Convention -February 1st, 1982.

#) 171 countries - integral part of Ramsar Convention.

#) Ramsar Convention:- "The convention on wetlands, called Ramsar Convention."

-It is an intergovernmental treaty, that provide work for national action & international cooperation for the conservation & wise use of wetlands & their resources.

#) 3new wetlands are incorporated in Ramsar wetland sites, are-

1)Nanjarayan BS (TN)

2) Kazhuveli BS (TN)

3) Tawa Reservoir (MP)

Note:- (These 3 new sites are mentioned under 85 Ramsar wetland sites)

#) Note:- ∆} BS:- Bird Sanctuary

∆} BR:- Biosphere Reserve

∆} WC:- Wetland Complex 

∆} RF:- Reserve Forest 

∆} CR:- Conservation Reserve