India Adds 3 New Ramsar Sites on Independence Day 2024

Tags: Environment

On the eve of Independence Day 2024, Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, announced the addition of three new wetlands to India's list of Ramsar sites, bringing the total to 85.

An Overview of the News

• The newly designated Ramsar sites are Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh. 

• With the inclusion of these three sites, the total area of Ramsar sites in India now stands at 1,358,067.757 hectares.

• India, a signatory to the Ramsar Convention since 1982, has significantly increased its Ramsar sites from 26 (between 1982-2013) to 59 (from 2014-2024).

• Top States: Tamil Nadu now leads with the highest number of Ramsar sites (18), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).

Details of the New Ramsar Sites:

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):

• Area: 125.865 hectares

• Location: Uthukuli Taluk, Tiruppur District

• Biodiversity: Home to 191 bird species, 87 butterfly species, and more.

• Importance: Vital for bird nesting, agriculture, and groundwater recharge.

Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):

• Area: 5,151.6 hectares

• Location: Villupuram District, near Pondicherry

• Biodiversity: Key stopover for migratory birds, breeding ground for fish.

• Unique Features: Comprises brackish water, estuarine parts, and supports degraded mangrove patches.

Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh):

• Area: 20,050 hectares

• Location: Near Itarsi town, part of Satpura Tiger Reserve

• Biodiversity: Important habitat for aquatic flora, fauna, and migratory birds.

• Significance: Largest protected area in Madhya Pradesh, also used for irrigation, power generation, and aquaculture.