Five more wetlands in India, recognised as nature’s kidneys for their water-regulating and waste-filtering capabilities, have received the international designation of Ramsar sites, bringing the country’s total to 80. The inclusion of these sanctuaries expands the Ramsar-designated areas to cover a vast expanse of 1.33 million hectares. An announcement in this regard was made on the eve of World Wetland Day by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who highlighted the theme of World Wetland Day 2024: Wetlands and Human Wellbeing. The government plans to observe the day at Sirpur Lake in Indore.
Certificates for these waterlogged ecosystems were presented by Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary-General of the Ramsar Convention, in the presence of Union Environment Secretary Leena Nandan, Jitendra Kumar (DG Forest), and Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee (Joint Secretary Wetlands, National Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention).
With the addition of more wetlands, Tamil Nadu now boasts the highest number of Ramsar Sites (16 sites), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites). The Ramsar Convention, established in 1971, aims to globally protect wetlands. Activities such as encroachment, industrial development, waste dumping, and poaching are strictly prohibited within these designated areas.
An official from the Ministry provided insights into the ecological importance of the newly designated sites. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, a human-made Village Irrigation Tank, is rich in biodiversity, hosting various plant and animal species. The Aghanashini Estuary, formed at the confluence of the Aghanashini River and the Arabian Sea, provides diverse ecosystem services and supports a significant population of waterbirds. Additionally, the mangroves bordering the estuary help protect the shores against storms and cyclones. Similarly, the Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, initially constructed for rainwater storage, is now home to a variety of bird species, including vulnerable and near-threatened species. The Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, one of Tamil Nadu’s largest inland wetlands, serves as a crucial source of groundwater recharge and supports diverse agricultural activities.
The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest wetlands provide habitats for globally endangered and vulnerable bird species, making them integral to the Western Ghats and harboring a significant number of endemic bird species.
These wetlands serve as habitats for the globally endangered Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin, and vulnerable Nilgiri Wood-pigeon. A total of 14 out of 26 endemic bird species of the Western Ghats are found in these wetlands.
The convention to protect wetlands was signed in Ramsar in 1971. Wetlands play a crucial role in flood control, providing water, food, and supporting biodiversity. The global Ramsar list currently includes over 2,500 sites identified by member countries for their ecological services and biodiversity value.
