Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Reservoir (Chhattisgarh) Declared New Ramsar Sites:-India Now Has a Total of 96 Ramsar Sites

Key Highlights

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has designated Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Reservoir in Chhattisgarh as new Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance.
• With this declaration, the total number of Ramsar sites in India has increased to 96, the highest in Asia.

Kopra Reservoir

• Location: Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh
• River Basin: Upper catchment of the Mahanadi River
• Significance:
  • First Ramsar site of Chhattisgarh
  • 95th Ramsar site of India

Siliserh Lake

• Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan
• Significance:
  • 5th Ramsar site of Rajasthan
  • 96th Ramsar site of India
• Note: Prior to this, Rajasthan had four Ramsar sites.
  

Ramsar Convention: Global Treaty for Wetland Conservation

• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise (sustainable) use of wetlands.
• It was adopted on 2 February 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran.
• The Convention came into force on 21 December 1975.
• Its primary objective is to protect wetlands of international importance and promote their sustainable use worldwide.

Key Facts about the Ramsar Convention

Three Core Objectives of the Ramsar Convention

1. Conservation and wise use of wetlands
2. Promotion of cooperation at local, national, and international levels
3. Monitoring, management, and protection of Ramsar Sites

India and the Ramsar Convention

Important Facts

Ramsar Sites in India (State-wise List)

Andhra Pradesh

1. Kolleru Lake

Assam

1. Deepor Beel

Bihar

1. Kanwar Lake
2. Nagi Bird Sanctuary
3. Nakti Bird Sanctuary
4. Gokul Reservoir (Buxar)
5. Udaipur Lake (West Champaran)
6. Gogabil Lake (Katihar)

Goa

1. Nanda Lake

Gujarat

1. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
2. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
3. Thol Lake
4. Wadhvana Wetland

Haryana

1. Sultanpur National Park
2. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Himachal Pradesh

1. Chandertal Lake
2. Pong Dam Lake
3. Renuka Lake

Jammu & Kashmir

1. Hokersar Wetland
2. Hygam Wetland
3. Shallabugh Wetland
4. Surinsar–Mansar Lakes
5. Wular Lake

Karnataka

1. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
2. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
3. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
4. Aghanashini Estuary

Kerala

1. Ashtamudi Wetland
2. Sasthamkotta Lake
3. Vembanad–Kol Wetland

Chhattisgarh

1. Kopra Reservoir

Ladakh

1. Tso Kar Lake

2. Tso Moriri Lake

Madhya Pradesh

1. Bhoj Wetland
2. Sakhya Sagar
3. Sirpur Lake
4. Yashwant Sagar
5. Tawa Reservoir

Maharashtra

1. Lonar Lake
2. Nandur Madhmeshwar
3. Thane Creek

Manipur

1. Loktak Lake

Mizoram

1. Pala Wetland

Odisha

1. Ansupa Lake
2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves
3. Chilika Lake
4. Hirakud Reservoir
5. Satkosia Gorge
6. Tampara Lake

Punjab

1. Beas Conservation Reserve
2. Harike Wetland
3. Kanjli Wetland
4. Keshopur–Miani Community Reserve
5. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Ropar Wetland

Rajasthan

1. Keoladeo National Park
2. Sambhar Lake
3. Menar Wetland
4. Khichan Wetland Site
5. Siliserh Lake

Tamil Nadu

1. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
2. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
3. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
4. Karikili Bird Sanctuary
5. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary
6. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest
7. Pichavaram Mangroves
8. Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary
9. Suchindram–Theroor Wetland Complex
10. Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary
11. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary
12. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
13. Vellode Bird Sanctuary
14. Vembannur Wetland Complex
15. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary
16. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
17. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
18. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
19. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary
20. Thiruthangal Bird Sanctuary

Tripura

1. Rudrasagar Lake

Uttar Pradesh

1. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Haiderpur Wetland
3. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
4. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
5. Saman Bird Sanctuary
6. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary
7. Sandi Bird Sanctuary
8. Sarsai Nawar Lake
9. Sur Sarovar
10. Upper Ganga River

Uttarakhand

1. Asan Barrage

Jharkhand

1. Udhwa Lake

West Bengal

1. East Kolkata Wetlands
2. Sundarban Wetland

Sikkim

1. Khecheopalri Wetland

Key Facts

• Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites (20) in India.
• Uttar Pradesh ranks second with 10 Ramsar sites.

Wetland:-

• A wetland is an area where the soil remains wet all the time or for most of the time, and the water level is close to the ground surface. These areas may be permanently or temporarily covered with water.
• Wetlands are often called the “Kidneys of the Earth” because they filter pollutants, regulate water flow, and maintain ecological balance.

Types of Wetlands under the Ramsar Convention

According to the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are classified into three categories:

1. Marine and Coastal Wetlands
   • Mangroves, coral reefs, coastal lagoons, estuaries.
2. Inland Wetlands (Rivers & Lakes)
   • Lakes, rivers, deltas, reservoirs.
3. Artificial Wetlands.
   • Paddy fields, reservoirs, artificial lakes.

Importance of Ramsar Sites in India

• Biodiversity Conservation: Provide natural habitats for wildlife and migratory birds.
• Water Resource Management: Help in groundwater recharge and flood control.
• Tourism and Economy: Promote eco-tourism and local livelihoods.
• Carbon Sequestration: Absorb greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change.

Importance of Wetlands

• Maintain ecological balance.
• Help in flood control by absorbing excess rainwater
• Act as natural water purifiers.
• Conserve biodiversity (birds, fish, aquatic species).
• Support human livelihoods like fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and water supply.

What Can We Do to Protect Wetlands?

• Avoid dumping plastic and waste into water bodies.
• Prevent encroachment on wetlands.
• Create awareness among local communities. 
• Stop deforestation and promote afforestation. 
• Support government and environmental conservation initiatives.