- The Environment Ministry announced the designation of three more wetlands in India as Ramsar sites, bringing the total to 85.
- The newly added sites are the Nanjarayan and Kazhuveli bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and the Tawa reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.
- This expansion increases the area covered by Ramsar sites in India to 1.3 million hectares.
- The environment minister highlighted that Tamil Nadu now has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India (18), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
- India, a signatory to the Ramsar Convention since 1982.
- India has added 59 wetlands to the list between 2014 and 2024, compared to 26 sites between 1982 and 2013.
- India’s Ramsar wetlands account for about 10% of the total wetland area across 18 states.
- India leads in the number of Ramsar sites in South Asia whereas globally United Kingdom (175) and Mexico (142) have more sites. Bolivia has the largest area under Ramsar protection. While this designation does not guarantee extra international funding, it can enhance tourism potential and international visibility.
| A Ramsar site requires meeting at least one of the nine criteria defined by the Ramsar Convention, Contains a rare, unique, or exemplary wetland type in its biogeographic region. Supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities. Maintains plant and animal species crucial for regional biological diversity. Provides habitat for species at critical life stages or refuge during adverse conditions. Regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds. Supports 1% of the population of a specific waterbird species or subspecies. Sustains significant populations or life stages of indigenous fish, contributing to global biodiversity. Serves as a crucial source of food, spawning ground, nursery, or migration path for fish stocks. Regularly supports 1% of the population of a wetland-dependent non-avian species or subspecies. |
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