RAMSAR SITES
Environment
1. WETLAND - DEFINITION
- A wetland is an ecosystem flooded by water, permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free (anoxic) processes dominate.
- Characterised by hydric soils and aquatic vegetation adapted to saturated conditions.
- Ramsar’s broad definition includes lakes, rivers, aquifers, swamps, marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, mangroves, coral reefs, fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans.
2. SIGNIFICANCE OF WETLANDS
- Flood mitigation: absorb and slow floodwaters, protecting communities and infrastructure.
- Coastal protection: buffer coastlines against storm surges and erosion.
- Water purification: wetlands filter pollutants and improve water quality.
- Biodiversity: support ~40% of the world’s species and provide habitat for many migratory birds and aquatic species.
- Livelihoods: over 1 billion people depend on wetlands for food, income, and resources.
- Carbon storage: peatlands store ~30% of terrestrial carbon; wetlands are important carbon sinks.
- Cultural & recreational: support tourism, transport, and cultural/spiritual values.
3. THREATS TO WETLANDS
- Conversion for agriculture, urban development, pollution, drainage, and reclamation.
- Climate change impacts (sea-level rise, altered rainfall, temperature changes).
- Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests (IPBES).
- Consequences include loss of species, reduced flood protection, poorer water quality, and loss of livelihoods.
4. IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services)
- Independent intergovernmental body to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity.
- Established in April 2012 (Panama City). Not a UN body.
5. RAMSAR CONVENTION ON WETLANDS - KEY POINTS
- Full name: Convention on Wetlands (signed at Ramsar, Iran) 1971; entered into force 1975.
- Aim: conservation and wise use (sustainable use) of wetlands and their resources, with an early focus on migratory waterbirds.
- International Wetlands Day: 2 February (anniversary of Ramsar signing).
- Collaboration: IUCN, BirdLife International, IWMI, Wetlands International, WWT, WWF, etc.
- Contracting Parties commit to designate at least one Ramsar Site at joining.
6. RAMSAR SITES - PRINCIPLES & TOOLS
- Ramsar Site: Wetland listed for international importance; listing means commitment to maintain ecological character.
- Montreux Record: Register of Ramsar sites where changes (occurring or likely) in ecological character are noted (due to development, pollution, etc.).
- India: Two sites currently in the Montreux Record — Keoladeo (Rajasthan) and Loktak (Manipur). Chilika was previously listed but removed.
7. INDIA & RAMSAR - OVERVIEW
- India joined Ramsar on 1 February 1982.
- First Indian Ramsar Sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan).
- Sundarbans is the largest Ramsar Site in India.
- India has many Ramsar sites across diverse ecosystems — coastal lagoons, estuaries, high-altitude lakes, freshwater marshes, man-made reservoirs, and mangroves.
8. LIST OF RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA
1. Ashtamudi Wetland (Kerala)
- Natural backwater in Kollam district. Drained by Kallada and Pallichal rivers; estuary at Neendakara.
- National Waterway-3 passes through it.
2. Beas Conservation Reserve (Punjab/Himachal Uttarakhand region)
- 185-km stretch of Beas River with islands, sand bars; hosts the endangered Indus river dolphin (only known population in India).
- Program initiated (2017) to reintroduce gharial.
3. Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha)
- Part of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary; Ramsar site (2002). Adjacent to Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Famous for saltwater crocodiles and Olive ridley turtles; core area declared a National Park.
4. Bhoj Wetland (Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh)
- Composed of Bhojtal (Upper Lake) and Lower Lake; a man-made reservoir.
- Habitat for the Sarus crane.
5. Chandra Taal (Himachal Pradesh)
- High-altitude lake (Lahaul & Spiti); near source of Chandra River.
- Supports species like the Snow Leopard; visited by migratory Ruddy Shelduck.
6. Chilika Lake (Odisha)
- Largest brackish water lagoon in India (mouth of Daya River).
- Designated India’s first Ramsar site (1981). Nalbana is its core bird sanctuary.
- Home to Irrawaddy dolphins (only known population in India); significant seagrass area (~20% of India’s seagrass).
7. Deepor Beel (Assam)
- Permanent freshwater lake, remnant channel of the Brahmaputra near Guwahati.
8. East Kolkata Wetlands (West Bengal)
- A multi-use wetland system serving Kolkata; integrates wastewater treatment by wetland-based fisheries/agriculture.
9. Harike Wetland (Punjab)
- Shallow reservoir at confluence of Beas and Sutlej; supports large Anatidae populations (ducks, geese, swans).
- Reintroduction programs for gharial; state initiatives for amphibious vehicles proposed.
10. Hokera Wetland (J&K)
- Natural perennial wetland contiguous to the Jhelum basin; located ~10 km from Srinagar.
11. Kanjli Wetland (Punjab)
- Man-made wetland (headworks on Bien River) in Kapurthala district; important culturally (associated with Guru Nanak).
12. Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur, Rajasthan)
- Formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary; artificial seasonal lagoons with scrub and grassland habitat.
- Invasive grass Paspalum has altered habitat; once home to the Siberian crane; UNESCO World Heritage Site.
13. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve (Punjab)
- Community-managed wetland; supports vulnerable common pochard and endangered spotted pond turtle.
14. Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh)
- Natural eutrophic lake between Godavari and Krishna basins; acts as flood-balancing reservoir.
- Notified as Wildlife Sanctuary (1999) and Ramsar site (2002); supports Grey Pelicans and Painted Storks.
15. Loktak Lake (Manipur)
- Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India; hosts Keibul Lamjao (world’s only floating national park).
16. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary (Gujarat)
- Natural freshwater lake (relict sea) in Thar Desert; supports Indian Wild Ass satellite populations.
17. Nandur Madhameshwar (Maharashtra)
- Created by a weir at Godavari-Kadwa confluence; thriving wetland.
18. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)
- Man-made reservoir (Bhakra-Nangal project) with diverse fauna including pangolin and Egyptian vulture; historic site for Five Principles (1954).
19. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
- Renamed Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary (2015).
20. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
- Oxbow lakes supporting threatened vultures (white-rumped vulture, Indian vulture).
21. Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Remnant dry evergreen forest, mangroves & wetlands; important coastal biodiversity.
22. Pong Dam Lake (Maharana Pratap Sagar) (Himachal Pradesh)
- Reservoir on Beas River; important avian habitat on trans-Himalayan flyway (~220 bird species).
23. Renuka Lake (Himachal Pradesh)
- Natural wetland with freshwater springs and karst features.
24. Ropar Wetland (Punjab)
- Human-made wetland from Sutlej barrage/diversion.
25. Rudrasagar Lake (Tripura)
- Reservoir fed by streams of Gomti; habitat for Three-striped Roof Turtle (IUCN red-listed).
26. Saman Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
- Seasonal oxbow lake on Ganges floodplain; important for migratory birds.
27. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
- Perennial marsh in Indo-Gangetic Plains; habitat for species like Egyptian vulture.
28. Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan)
- India’s largest inland salt lake; key wintering area for flamingos.
29. Sandi Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
- Typical wetland of Indo-Gangetic plains.
30. Sarsai Nawar Jheel (Uttar Pradesh)
- Permanent marsh; named after the non-migratory Sarus crane; example of co-habitation of humans and wildlife.
31. Sasthamkotta Lake (Kerala)
- Largest freshwater lake in Kerala (Kollam); historically replenished by paddy bar mechanism; now depleting.
32. Sundarban Wetland (West Bengal)
- Part of world’s largest mangrove forest; India’s largest Ramsar site; ~60% of India's mangroves.
- High biodiversity and crucial protection against cyclones and storm surge.
33. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes (Jammu & Kashmir)
- Freshwater composite lakes in semi-arid Punjab plains; adjoining Jhelum Basin.
34. Tsomoriri / Tso Moriri (Ladakh)
- High-altitude lake (4,595 m) on Changthang plateau; breeding ground for Black-necked Crane and Bar-headed Geese.
- Unique fauna: Argali (wild sheep) and Tibetan Wild Ass; no outflow causes variable salinity.
35. Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora stretch) (Uttar Pradesh)
- Habitat for Ganges River Dolphin and Gharial crocodile.
36. Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala)
- Largest lake in Kerala; second-largest Ramsar site in India after Sundarbans; famous for below-sea-level paddy fields and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
37. Wular Lake (J&K)
- Largest freshwater lake in India; tectonic basin fed by Jhelum; Tulbul navigation lock-cum-control structure at mouth.
38. Asan Conservation Reserve (Uttarakhand)
- 444-hectare stretch of Asan River confluence with Yamuna; supports 330 bird species including critically endangered vultures and Baer’s pochard; supports endangered Putitora mahseer.
39. Kabartal Wetland / Kanwar Jheel (Bihar)
- 2,620 ha in Begusarai on Indo-Gangetic plains; flood buffer; hosts 165 plant species and 394 animal species including 221 bird species; stopover on Central Asian Flyway; includes 5 critically endangered species.
40. Soor Sarovar Lake / Keetham Lake (Uttar Pradesh)
- Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary near Agra; ~165 migratory/resident birds; includes Bear Rescue centre.
41. Lonar Lake (Maharashtra)
- Meteor crater lake in Deccan basalt; National Geo-heritage Monument; saline-alkaline waters with unique microorganisms; 2nd Ramsar site in Maharashtra.
42. Tso Kar Wetland Complex (Ladakh)
- High-altitude wetland complex (Startsapuk Tso & Tso Kar hypersaline lake); important breeding area for Black-necked Crane and many migratory species; categorized as A1 IBA.
43. Sultanpur National Park (Haryana)
- Bird watcher’s paradise; habitat for globally threatened species like sociable lapwing and Egyptian Vulture.
44. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary (Haryana)
- Human-made freshwater wetland; part of Sahibi River corridor; adjacent to Khaparwas Sanctuary.
45. Thol Lake (Gujarat)
- Shallow freshwater reservoir; on Central Asian Flyway; supports 320+ bird species including threatened waterbirds.
46. Wadhvana Wetland (Gujarat)
- Located in Dabhoi tehsil, Vadodara; important wintering ground for migratory birds (80+ species).
47. Haiderpur Wetland (Uttar Pradesh)
- 6,908 hectares on Muzaffarnagar-Bijnor border; part of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary; man-made from 1984 project; supports dolphins, turtles, crocodiles and 300+ bird species.
48. Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat)
- Unique wetland with freshwater on one side and salt pans on the other; adjacent to Marine National Park; important for migratory birds.
49. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
- Largest natural floodplain wetland in eastern UP; ~29 sq. km; supports ~40,000 birds in winter.
50. Karikili Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Human-made wetland supporting cormorants, egrets, storks, pelicans and other waterbirds.
51. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest (Tamil Nadu)
- Natural coastal marsh near Chennai; drains ~250 sq km and encompasses ~65 wetlands.
52. Pichavaram Mangrove (Tamil Nadu)
- One of India’s last mangrove forests; large mangrove-covered island and waterways.
53. Sakhya Sagar (Madhya Pradesh)
- Formed from Manier River (1918); near Madhav National Park.
54. Pala Wetland (Mizoram)
- Located in Palak Wildlife Sanctuary; part of Indo-Burma hotspot; rich biodiversity.
55. Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Large reserve for breeding water birds; Important Bird & Biodiversity Area on Central Asian Flyway.
56. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
- Biologically rich coastal region with coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves; first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South/Southeast Asia.
57. Vembannur Wetland Complex (Kerala)
- Man-made inland tank forming southern tip of peninsular India; part of Important Bird & Biodiversity Area.
58. Vellode Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- 80 ha human-made sanctuary near Erode; ideal habitat due to adjacent agricultural fields.
59. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- 30 ha protected area near Chengalpattu; oldest water bird sanctuary in India; hosts many migratory species.
60. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Noted for large numbers of purple moorhen and openbill storks; consists of ancient irrigation tanks and canals.
61. Satkosia Gorge (Odisha)
- Gorge carved by Mahanadi River; within Satkosia Tiger Reserve (UN-protected area).
62. Nanda Lake (Goa)
- Intermittent freshwater marsh linked to Zuari River; supports many migratory waterbirds and local livelihoods; faces threats from invasive species and pollution.
63. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka)
- Riverine wetland on Kaveri; supports mugger crocodile, smooth-coated otter and hump-backed mahseer; supports >1% of global population of painted stork, spot-billed pelican and black-headed ibis; classified as IBA and Eco-Sensitive Zone.
64. Sirpur Wetland (Madhya Pradesh)
- Human-made wetland near Indore; shallow alkaline lake that floods in monsoon; supports diverse birdlife.
65. Tampara Lake (Odisha)
- Freshwater lake in Ganjam district; habitat for vulnerable fish and bird species.
66. Hirakud Reservoir (Odisha)
- Largest earthen dam reservoir; produces ~300 MW hydro power and irrigates 436,000 ha; moderates floods in Mahanadi delta.
67. Ansupa Lake (Odisha)
- Largest freshwater lake of Odisha (Banki subdivision, Cuttack district); oxbow lake formed by Mahanadi; supports threatened bird and fish species.
68. Yashwant Sagar (Madhya Pradesh)
- Important birding site near Indore; used for water supply and fish culture; stronghold of vulnerable Sarus Crane.
69. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Protected since 1989; ideal wintering habitat for migratory birds; surrounded by agricultural fields.
70. Suchindram-Theroor Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu)
- Part of conservation reserve; important Bird Area on Central Asian Flyway; historical references in 9th-century copper plates.
71. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Human-made irrigation tank supporting migratory birds.
72. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Breeding site for heron species and spot-billed pelican; supports IUCN RedList species.
73. Thane Creek (Maharashtra)
- Mangrove-fringed creek near Mumbai; declared Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary; ~20% of Indian mangrove species present.
74. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve (J&K)
- In Jhelum basin; flood absorption basin and biodiversity site; affected by siltation and landform changes.
75. Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve (J&K)
- Located in Srinagar district; extensive reedbeds and Nymphaea species; supports large numbers of resident and migratory birds.
THREATS TO INDIAN RAMSAR SITES - COMMON FACTORS
- Pollution: industrial effluents, sewage, solid waste dumping.
- Over-extraction of water and water diversion affecting hydrology.
- Habitat loss due to reclamation, encroachment and development.
- Invasive species, siltation and sedimentation.
- Unsustainable tourism and unregulated fishing practices.
- Climate change impacts: sea-level rise, temperature, altered precipitation.
- Lack of effective management plans and enforcement at local/regional levels.
CONSERVATION TOOLS & GOVERNMENT ACTIONS (SUMMARY)
- Legal protection under Wildlife Protection Act, Environment Protection Act; Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications.
- National & State Coastal Zone Management Authorities for coastal wetland regulation.
- Coral Bleaching Alert Systems and satellite monitoring (e.g., INCOIS for thermal stress).
- Research & monitoring: National Coral Reef Research Centre (Port Blair) and databases.
- Community-managed reserves and wise-use approaches (e.g., Keshopur-Miani).
- Restoration programs: artificial rejuvenation, silt management, managing water inflows and catchment protection.
BEST PRACTICES & RESTORATION
- Integrated Coastal & Marine Area Management (ICMAM) and community participation.
- Wetland-based wastewater treatment (e.g., East Kolkata Wetlands model).
- Regeneration projects like Project REGENERATE (Maldives) and local NGO initiatives (Reef Watch India).
- Bio-technology & restoration: coral gardening, structural restoration, and habitat management for wetlands.
- Education, awareness campaigns and ecotourism with strict carrying capacity.
WAY FORWARD (KEY RECOMMENDATIONS)
- Strengthen legal & policy frameworks and ensure enforcement at local levels.
- Integrate wetlands into broader landscape and river basin planning.
- Promote community-led management and sustainable livelihoods for wetland-dependent communities.
- Invest in monitoring (satellite + ground), research and early warning systems.
- Control pollutant sources upstream and implement nature-based solutions for flood control and water purification.
- Combat invasive species and manage fisheries sustainably.
- Build climate resilience strategies for wetlands (sea-level rise adaptation, freshwater security).
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Subject: Environment
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