Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: Siliserh Lake in Alwar district, Rajasthan, and Kopra Jalashay near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, have been added to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List), taking India’s tally of Ramsar sites to 96.
About Siliserh Lake and Kopra Jalashay Added to the Ramsar List:
About Siliserh Lake, Rajasthan:
- What it is?
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- A human-made / artificial lake and wetland, now recognised as a Ramsar site (Site no. 2581).
- Important waterbody in a semi-arid zone, vital as a water source and biodiversity-rich habitat.
- Located in:
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- Alwar district, Rajasthan, about 8 miles southwest of Alwar city.
- Lies within the buffer zone of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, enhancing its eco-tourism and conservation value.
- History:
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- Built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh, ruler of Alwar, by constructing an embankment on a tributary of the Ruparel River.
- Created primarily to supply drinking water to Alwar, as evidenced by old aqueducts still visible around the lake.
- Key Features:
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- Area of about 7 km², flanked by dense woodland and cenotaphs on its embankment.
- Supports 149 bird species and 17 mammal species, including:
- Vulnerable river tern (Sterna aurantia),
- Endangered tiger (Panthera tigris),
- 1% of the biogeographic population of black stork (Ciconia nigra).
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- Popular for birdwatching, with sightings of cranes, colourful kingfishers and many more species.
- Provides drinking water, recreation and tourism, but faces threats from intensive agriculture and expanding human settlements; a restoration plan is underway.
About Kopra Jalashay, Chhattisgarh:
- What it is?
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- A reservoir-type wetland now designated as a Ramsar site (Site no. 2583).
- Originally constructed mainly for irrigation, now recognised for its hydrological and ecological importance.
- Located in:
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- In Chhattisgarh, in the upper catchments of the River Mahanadi, near Bilaspur.
- Mainly surrounded by farmland and a few villages.
- Key Features:
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- Has an extensive open water area with shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters.
- Strong hydrological and ecological connectivity, creating a mosaic of habitats.
- Supports more than 60 migratory bird species that use it for nesting, feeding and as a stop-over site.
- Notable species include:
- Vulnerable greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga),
- Endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus).
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- Valued by local communities and tourists for its natural beauty and birdwatching opportunities.
- Faces threats from siltation, invasive non-native species, and intensive agriculture; conservation measures are proposed, but a formal management plan is yet to be prepared.
