Why in the News?
India has added two new wetlands in Bihar, Gokul Jalashay (Buxar district) and Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran district), to the global Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance.
Important Facts:
- With this, India’s Ramsar sites rise to 93, consolidating its top rank in Asia and third in the world, after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).
- Bolivia has the largest Ramsar wetland area (Llanos de Moxos wetlands – 6.9 million ha).
- India’s Ramsar sites have expanded from 26 in 2012 to 93 in 2025, covering 13.6 lakh hectares, with 51 sites added since 2020.
- Globally, there are 2,544 Ramsar sites.
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Facts about the two Wetlands:
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Gokul Jalashay (Buxar District):
- Oxbow lake spread over 448 hectares on the southern edge of the Ganga River.
- Acts as a flood buffer during high water events.
- Supports 50+ bird species and provides livelihoods through fishing, farming, and irrigation.
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Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran District):
- Oxbow lake covering 319 hectares, part of the Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary ecosystem, formed by the Gandaki River.
- Enhances ecological connectivity and supports the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds.
About the Ramsar Convention:
- Establishment: Signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
- Objective: Provide a framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
- Functions:
- Identify and designate wetlands of international importance.
- Promote effective management of wetlands.
- Foster international cooperation for conservation.
- Members: 173 countries (as of 2025).
- India and Ramsar:
- India joined in 1982.
- First Ramsar site: Chilika Lake, Odisha (1981).
- Current total: 93 sites (Sept 2025), covering 13,60,718 hectares.
- Growth: From 26 sites in 2012 to 93 in 2025 (51 added since 2020).
- State-wise: Tamil Nadu has the highest (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
- About 10% of India’s total wetland area is under Ramsar listing.
- Montreux Record: List of Ramsar sites under threat of ecological change.
- 48 sites globally (2025).
- 2 Indian sites included: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
- World Wetlands Day: Celebrated on February 2nd every year.
- 2025 Theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.
Criteria for Declaration (9 Criteria):
A wetland can be declared a Ramsar site if it meets at least one of these:
- Has unique, rare, or representative wetland types.
- Supports vulnerable, endangered, or endemic species.
- Provides critical habitat for waterfowl, especially during migration.
- Contains significant ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological features.
- Supports biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
- Provides ecosystem services like flood control, groundwater recharge, and water purification.
- Has cultural, spiritual, or recreational importance.
- Ensures sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
- Faces threats requiring international cooperation for conservation.
| [UPSC 2022] Consider the following pairs:
Wetland/Lake Location
1. Hokera Wetland — Punjab 2. Renuka Wetland — Himachal Pradesh
3. Rudrasagar Lake — Tripura 4. Sasthamkotta Lake — Tamil Nadu
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Options: (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs* (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs |
