India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 85 from existing 82 by designating three more wetlands as Ramsar Sites.

• The three new sites included are Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.

About Newly Designated Ramsar Sites in India

1. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary:

• Location: The Nanjarayan lake is a large shallow wetland situated along the north-eastern region of Uthukuli Taluk of Tiruppur District in Tamil Nadu. 
• The wetlands in this region depend mainly on weather conditions, especially on heavy rain water flow from Nallar drainage. 
• History: The lake got its name from the fact that it was repaired and restored by King Nanjarayan who was ruling the region many centuries ago.
• Flora & Fauna: About 191 species of birds, 87 species of butterflies, 7 species of amphibians, 21 species of reptiles, 11 species of small mammals and 77 species of plants have been recorded in and around the lake. 
  • Notable Species: Bar-headed Goose, Northern shoveler, Juvenile Spot-billed Pelican & Heronry etc
• Significance: 
  • Bird sanctuary: The lake is announced as 17th bird sanctuary of the state of Tamil Nadu owing to its rich avifaunal diversity.  

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

2. The Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary 

• It’s declared as the 16th bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu in the year 2021. 
• Location: It is a brackish shallow lake located on the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district, North of Pondicherry. 
  • The lake is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the brackish Uppukalli creek and the Edayanthittu Estuary. 
• Kazhuveli is one of the significant and biodiversity rich wetlands. The lake is one of the largest wetlands in peninsular India. 
• Three parts: The lake can be divided into three parts based on the water features 
  • The estuarine part with brackish water
  • The Uppukali creek feeding the sea water 
  • The Kazuveli basin with fresh water.
• Notable Species: Eurasian Coot ,  Painted Stork, Greater Flamingo, Black-headed Ibis etc.
• Significance: The Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary lies in the Central Asian Flyway.
• • It is an important stopover site for migratory species of birds and breeding ground for resident species of birds, breeding ground for fish 
  • It also serves as a major recharge source for the aquifers.
  •  In areas of brackish water highly degraded mangrove patches containing Avicennia species are found.  
  • In the earlier years, this area was reportedly harbouring Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests.  In this area, reed (Typhaangustata) is found in several hundred hectares.

3. The Tawa Reservoir 

• Location: Tawa Reservoir is situated near Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh. 
• It was constructed at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers. 
  • River Malani, Sonbhadra, and Nagdwari are the major tributaries of Tawa reservoir. 
• Tawa River: A left bank tributary originates from Mahadeo hills in Chhindwara district, flows through Betul district and joins river Narmada in Narmadapuram district. 
  • It is the longest tributary of river Narmada (172 Km). 
• Significance: The reservoir was built mainly for irrigation purposes. Although later on it is also being used for power generation and aquaculture.
  • Reservoir is important for aquatic flora and fauna especially birds and wild animals. 
• Inside Satpura Tiger Reserve : The reservoir is located inside the Satpura Tiger Reserve and forms the western boundary of the Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. 
• Flora & Fauna: Many rare and endangered species of plants, reptiles and insects are found here. It is an important habitat for many local and migratory birds. 
• Notable Species:  Spotted deer, Painted Stork

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

List of Ramsar Sites in India 2024

Here is the list of total Ramsar sites (Arranged Year Wise)  in India according to their areas and states in which they are located:

Features of Ramsar Sites in India

Ramsar Sites in India exhibit a diverse range of features, reflecting the country’s rich ecological and geographical diversity:

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store

Initiative Taken for Conservation of Wetlands

• At Global Level
• • Montreux Record: The Montreux Record, established in 1990, is a register of wetland sites on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference. 
    • It serves as a mechanism to bring attention to these sites and facilitate priority conservation measures.
  • World Wetlands Day: World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. 
    • AIM: It aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet and to promote actions to reverse their degradation and loss. 

Recent Developments in Wetland Conservation in India

• Wetlands of India Portal: Launched on October 2, 2021, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), this portal provides comprehensive information on India’s wetlands. 
  • It includes capacity-building materials, data repositories, and dashboards for each state and union territory.
• National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas: Prepared by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, this atlas highlights the changes in wetlands across the country over the past decade.
• Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM): Established on World Wetland Day 2021, this center focuses on addressing research needs and knowledge gaps in wetland conservation.
• Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme: Initiated by MoEFCC in 2020, this program aims to rejuvenate over 500 wetlands across India. 
  • It includes developing baseline information, rapid assessments, stakeholder engagement, and management planning.
• Integration with River Basin Management: The Namami Gange program integrates wetland conservation with river basin management, serving as a model framework for the entire country.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems: In 2013, the National Wetlands Conservation Programme and the National Lake Conservation Plan were combined to create the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems. 
  • This comprehensive plan reflects a holistic government approach to protecting vital aquatic ecosystems.
• Amrit Dharohar Scheme: Launched with the Union Budget 2023-24, the Amrit Dharohar Scheme is a key initiative aimed at optimizing wetland utilization over the next three years. 
  • Its goals include enhancing biodiversity, increasing carbon stock, boosting eco-tourism, and generating income for local communities, in line with the government’s sustainable development vision.
• MoEFCC’s Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme: Launched in 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) initiated the Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme. 
  • This multifaceted approach includes developing baseline data, assessing wetland health, establishing stakeholder platforms, and creating comprehensive management plans. 
  • The program covers over 500 wetlands, showcasing the government’s dedication to conserving these essential habitats.
• National Wildlife Action Plan: The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) emphasizes the conservation of inland aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands. 
  • It advocates for a national wetlands mission to preserve these habitats, recognizing their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Integration with Namami Gange: On World Wetlands Day 2021, the Ministry of Jal Shakti highlighted the integration of wetland conservation with the Namami Gange program. 
  • The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has pioneered initiatives that serve as models for wetland conservation nationwide.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

DOWNLOAD PDF