75 Ramsar Sites in 75th Year of Independence

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Environment Conservation

Source: PIB

Direction: Ramsar Site is important. Since the number is growing rapidly each week. Just go through it once.

Context: Government has added 11 more wetlands to the Ramsar list of wetlands.

Importance of Ramsar Site: Many of the sites are already notified under the Union government’s Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 meaning development activities within the waterbody as well as within its zone of influence are regulated.

• Being designated Ramsar Site means now the sites will be on the global map for their importance in providing ecological services.

Eleven Ramsar Sites added are:

Tampara Lake (Odisha):

• Tampara Lake is among the most prominent freshwater lakes in the State of Odisha. It is called ‘Tampara’ as the depression on the ground gradually filled with rainwater from catchment flow and was called “Tamp” by the British and subsequently termed “Tampra” by the locals.
• The wetland is an important habitat for vulnerable species such as Cyprinus carpio, common pochard (Aythya ferina), and river tern (Sterna aurantia).

Hirakud Reservoir (Odisha)

• Hirakud Reservoir, the largest earthen dam in Odisha started operating in 1957. The reservoir is important for livelihoods of fishermen, tourism, irrigation and production of hydro-energy.
• The wetland also provides important hydrological services by moderating floods in the Mahanadi delta, the ecological and socio-economic hub of the east coast of India.

Ansupa Lake (Odisha, Cuttack district) 

• Ansupa Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Odisha situated in the Cuttack district.
• The wetland is an oxbow lake formed by River Mahanadi.
• The wetland provides a safe habitat to:-
  • Three threatened bird species– Rynchops albicollis (EN), Sterna acuticauda (EN) and Sterna aurantia (VU)
  • Three threatened fish species– Clarias magur (Clariidae) (EN), Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) (VU) and Wallago attu (VU).
• The wetland has immense recreational and tourism potential as it is a major wintering ground for migratory birds and is also known for its scenic beauty.

 Yashwant Sagar (Indore, Madhya Pradesh)

• 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 the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh.
• Presently it is mainly used for water supply to the city of Indore and is also being used for fish culture on a commercial scale.
• Yashwant Sagar is considered to be a stronghold of the vulnerable Sarus Crane in central India. Due to its vast shallow reed beds, the wetland is considered heaven to a large number of winter migratory birds.

Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary ( Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu)

• The wetland is a protected area since 1989 and declared a Bird Sanctuary.
• It is an ideal habitat for winter migratory birds.

Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex (Kanya Kumari, Tamil Nadu)

• 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.
• This is a man-made, inland Tank and is perennial.
• Copper plate inscriptions from the 9th century mention Pasumkulam, Venchikulam, Nedumarthukulam, Perumkulam, Elemchikulam and Konadunkulam.

Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)

• 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.
• Thus, the site provides support to species such as Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii during critical stages of their life cycle.

Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary (Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu)

• It is notable as a nesting site for several migratory heron species that roost in the prominent growth of babul trees there.
• The site qualifies as an IBA as the threatened Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis breeds here.
• The wetland supports IUCN RedList vulnerable avian species like Sterna aurantia (River Tern).

Thane Creek (Maharastra)

• Ulhas River is the largest source of water for the creek, followed by many drainage channels from various suburban areas of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane.
• Creek is a narrow, sheltered waterway, especially an inlet in a shoreline or channel in a marsh.
• It has been declared as Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.
• Thane creek is fringed by mangroves on both banks & comprises around 20% of the total Indian mangrove species.
• The area is an important part of the wetland complex of the Central Asian Flyway of the birds and has been categorized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve (Baramulla district, J&K)

• Hygam Wetland 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 also recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
• Consequent to the high rate of siltation, Hygam Wetland has lost its wetland characteristics to a large extent and in many places changed its profile into a landmass.

Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve (Sri Nagar, J&K)

• The area has extensive reedbeds of Phragmites communis and Typha angustata, and rich growth of Nymphaea candida and N. stellata on open water. It serves as an abode to more than four lakh resident and migratory birds of at least 21 species.
• Shallabugh Wetland plays a major role in the natural control, amelioration or prevention of flooding, It is also important for seasonal water retention for wetlands or other areas of conservation importance downstream.

Ramsar convention:

• It is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
• It is named after the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the Caspian Sea, where the treaty was signed on 2 February 1971.
• Known officially as ‘the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat’ (or, more recently, just ‘the Convention on Wetlands’), it came into force in 1975.

 Montreux Record:

• Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Insta Links

To remember all the previous Ramsar Sites: Click here

Wetland Ecosystem

Mains Link

Q. Discuss the importance and role played by Wetlands in the Ecological conservation of Earth. (15M)

Prelims link