Why in the News?
Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Jalashay in Chhattisgarh have been designated as Ramsar Sites, recognising their international importance as wetlands.
Siliserh Lake
Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan
Type: Human made lake
Setting: Located within the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve
History: Constructed in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh to supply drinking water to Alwar city
Climate Zone: Semi arid region
Ecological Significance:
• Important water source in a dry landscape
• Supports diverse wetland and terrestrial biodiversity
Fauna:
• Around 149 bird species
• 17 mammal species
• Vulnerable species: River tern
• Endangered species: Tiger
• Supports more than 1 percent of the biogeographic population of Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
Kopra Jalashay
Location: Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh
Type: Reservoir
River System: Upper catchment of the Mahanadi River
Hydrological Importance:
• Strong hydrological and ecological connectivity
• Creates a mosaic of wetland habitats
Avifaunal Importance:
• Supports over 60 migratory bird species
• Used for nesting, feeding and as a stopover site
Fauna:
• Vulnerable species: Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)
• Endangered species: Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Ramsar Convention Key Point for Prelims
- Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for conservation and wise use of wetlands
• Adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran
• India is a contracting party since 1982
| If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply? (2014)
(a) Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference. (b) The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilometres from the edge of the wetland. (c) The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed. (d) It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’ |
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