India adds 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites, a total of 75

Tags: National News

India on August 13 added 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites in the 75th year of independence making it a total of 75 Ramsar sites covering an area of 13,26,677 hectares in the country.

Important facts

• The 11 new sites are - Four in Tamil Nadu, Three in Odisha, Two in Jammu & Kashmir and One each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

• A total of 28 sites have been declared as Ramsar sites during the year 2022.

• Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites (14), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).

11 wetlands designated as Ramsar sites

Year wise designation of 75 Ramsar sites 

Summary of 11 new Ramsar sites  

1. Tampara Lake = It is among the most prominent freshwater lakes in the State of Odisha situated in Ganjam district. There are at least 60 species of birds, 46 species of fish, at least 48 species of phytoplankton and more than seven species of terrestrial plants and macrophytes.

2. Hirakud Reservoir - It is the largest earthen dam in Odisha started operating in 1957. Of the 54 fish species found in the reservoir, one is classified as endangered, six near threatened and 21 fish species of economic importance. At present, about 480 metric tonnes of fish are caught annually from fisheries and it is the mainstay of livelihood for 7,000 fisher families.

3. Ansupa Lake - It is the largest freshwater lake of Odisha situated in Cuttack district and has its fame from time immemorial for its scenic beauty, biodiversity, and natural resources. It is home to at least 194 species of birds, 61 species of fishes and 26 species of mammals in addition to 244 species of macrophytes.

4. Yashwant Sagar - It is one of the two Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the Indore region as well as one of the most important birding sites in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. It is mainly used for water supply in Indore city and is also being used for fish farming on a commercial scale.

5. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary - It is located in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. The wetland has been a protected area since 1989 and declared as Bird Sanctuary.

6. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex - It is part of the Suchindrum-Theroor Manakudi Conservation Reserve. It is declared an Important Bird Area and lies at the southern tip of the Central Asian flyway of migratory birds. 

7. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary - It is a large human-made irrigation tank and shelter for migratory birds as it provides a suitable environment for food, shelter, and breeding ground.

8. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary - It is a Protected area near Mudukulathur Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, declared in 1989. It is notable as a nest for several migratory heron species that settle in the acacia groves there.

9. Thane Creek - It is located in Maharashtra. There are several sources of fresh water to the creek, of which Ulhas River is the largest, followed by many drainage channels from various suburban areas of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane. It has been declared as Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. 

10. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve - It falls within the River Jhelum basin and plays a significant role as a flood absorption basin, biodiversity conservation site, eco-tourism site, and livelihood security for the local communities. It is located in the Baramulla district. 

11. Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve -  It is located in the District Srinagar, UT of J&K. Large areas of the wetland dry up between September and March. The area has extensive reedbeds of Phragmites communis and Typha angustata, and rich growth of Nymphaea candida and N stellata on open water.