Latest Ramsar Sites in India, Check Area in hectare and State

Latest Ramsar Sites in India: Ramsar Sites in India are an essential component of India’s natural heritage because the country is home to various ecosystems that support abundant biodiversity. India ratified the Ramsar Agreement in 1982, pledging to protect and sustainably utilize its wetlands in recognition of their biological importance.

What are Ramsar Sites?

Ramsar sites refer to wetland sites that have been recognized and listed under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty aimed at conserving and sustainably using wetlands. The treaty was signed on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, and has been ratified by approximately 175 countries, including India in 1982. World Wetlands Day, observed annually on February 2, commemorates the adoption of the Ramsar Convention. As of 2018, there are over 2,331 Ramsar sites worldwide, covering more than 2.1 million square kilometers, with the United Kingdom and Mexico having the most sites. Bolivia has the largest area of designated wetlands, covering over 148,000 square kilometers.

List of 11 Latest Ramsar Sites in India

Last year the Indian government added 11 more Latest Ramsar sites in India, increasing the overall number of Ramsar sites in the country to 75. The newly added Ramsar sites are located in various parts of the country, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. Overall the Ramsar Sites cover a total area of 13,26,677 hectares in the country. 

1. Tampara Lake- Tampara Lake, situated in the Ganjam district of Odisha, is a renowned freshwater lake. The British named the ground depression “Tamp,” which was later changed to “Tampra” by the locals. The depression gradually got filled with rainwater from the catchment flow, resulting in the lake’s formation. The lake boasts a rich ecosystem with over 60 bird species, 46 fish species, more than seven terrestrial plant and macrophyte species, and a minimum of 48 phytoplankton species. It is a habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
2. Hirakud Reservoir- The largest earthen dam in Odisha, Hirakud Reservoir, went into operation in 1957. A variety of plant and animal species, including some with great conservation importance, are supported by the reservoir. One of the 54 species of fish from the reservoir that are known has been classified as endangered. There are also 21 fish species that are significant economically. Fisheries currently provide 7,000 fisher households with their primary source of income and yield an annual catch of about 480 MT of fish.
3. Ansupa Lake- The largest freshwater lake in Odisha’s Banki district, Ansupa Lake, is renowned for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife. The lake, which has a surface area of 231 acres, was created by the River Mahanadi. In addition to 244 different varieties of macrophytes, the wetland is home to 194 bird species, 61 fish species, and 26 mammal species.
4. Yashwant Sagar- A well-known location for birdwatching in Madhya Pradesh’s Malwa region is Yashwant Sagar, an Important Bird Area (IBA) in the Indore region. Currently, the reservoir supplies water to the city of Indore and is utilized for industrial fish farming. The Municipal Corporation of Indore controls Yashwant Sagar.
5. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary- The Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu is home to the Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, sometimes referred to as “Chitrangudi Kanmoli” locally. The wetland has been declared a protected area since 1989 and is governed by the Ramanathapuram division of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Winter migrating birds thrive in the Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary. A total of 50 birds from 30 different families have been recorded at the location.
6. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex- Suchindrum-Theroor Manakudi Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu includes the Suchindrum Theroor Wetland Complex as a protected area. At the southernmost point of the Central Asian flyway and an Important Bird Area, it attracts a lot of migratory species. The wetland complex was built to give birds places to nest, and it draws a lot of birds each year. Theroor tank also provides water for agriculture, which is the primary source of income for 75% of the local population, roughly 10,500 people.
7. Vaduvur bird sanctuary covers 112.638 hectares and is an artificial irrigation tank that serves as a refuge for migratory birds. It offers a favorable habitat for feeding, nesting, and sheltering. Although these irrigation tanks have cultural and socio-economic significance, their ecological importance is not well-understood. These tanks have the potential to support resident and migratory water bird populations, but no research has been conducted to verify this claim.
8. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary- Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary is a protected region located near Mudukulathur in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram District. It was announced as a bird sanctuary in 1989. The area serves as a nesting ground for several migratory heron species, which roost in the abundant babul trees in the region. The sanctuary is home to various migratory waterbirds, including the painted stork, white ibis, black ibis, tiny egret, and great egret, which breed in the region between October and February.
9. Thane Creek- Thane Creek, situated in Maharashtra, India, receives fresh water from several sources, including the Ulhas River and various drainage channels from suburban regions of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. It has been declared the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary and is surrounded by mangroves on both sides, containing approximately 20% of India’s total mangrove species.
10. Hygam Wetland- Hygam Wetland in the Baramulla district of the Jhelum River watershed is an essential location for the conservation of biodiversity, flood absorption, and the security of local residents’ livelihoods. Both migratory bird species and local inhabitants call it home, and it has been classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA). High amounts of siltation have, however, drastically diminished the marsh’s wetland features, causing certain sections to be transformed into land masses. However, it continues to be a popular ecotourism destination and a crucial location for safeguarding India’s mangrove species.
11. Shallabug Wetland Conservation Reserve- For nearly four lakh residents and migratory birds of at least 21 species, the Shallabug Wetland Conservation Reserve in the Srinagar region of Jammu and Kashmir is an essential habitat. These birds prefer huge reedbeds and open water growths to survive. The wetland’s seasonal drying from September to March does not lessen its biological significance because it is so important in managing floods and preserving water for downstream conservation sites. Typha angustata, Phragmites communis, Nymphaea candida, and N. stellata are among the area’s abundant vegetation, emphasizing its significance as a prominent biodiversity hotspot in the area.

Complete List of Latest Ramsar Sites In India

A Ramsar site is a wetland area that has been given special protection under the Ramsar Convention. An international agreement known as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.

Recently added Ramsar Site

The list of recently added Ramsar Wetland Sites in India as of 2023 is as follows:

Interesting Facts about the Ramsar Sites for UPSC Aspirants:-

1. Ramsar Sites are wetlands that are recognized under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty signed in 1971 to protect wetlands of international importance.
2. The Ramsar Convention is the only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem.
3. Ramsar Sites are selected based on their ecological, biological, and cultural value and the benefits they provide to humans and the environment.
4. India is a party to the Ramsar Convention and has designated 75 Ramsar Sites covering a total area of 13,26,677 hectares.
5. The Sundarbans, the world’s largest delta and mangrove forest is a Ramsar Site located in India and Bangladesh.
6. The Ramsar Sites in India include a wide range of wetlands such as lakes, rivers, marshes, swamps, deltas, and mangroves.
7. The designation of a wetland as a Ramsar Site does not mean that it is completely protected, but it does mean that the government has committed to protecting it and ensuring its sustainable use.
8. The Ramsar Convention encourages countries to work together to protect wetlands, and Ramsar Sites can provide important habitats for migratory waterbirds that travel across international borders.
9. The Ramsar Convention is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the treaty was signed in 1971.
10. The Ramsar Convention has been ratified by 171 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted global environmental treaties.

Check: list of 75 Ramsar Sites In India 

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