India has added Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Reservoir (Chhattisgarh) to the List of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, taking the total number of Ramsar sites in the country to 96.
Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan):
Location & Setting
- Located at Paitpur village, Alwar district, Rajasthan
- Lies in a semi-arid ecological zone
- Falls within the buffer area of the Sariska Tiger Reserve
Nature of the Wetland
- Human-made wetland
- Constructed in 1845 AD by Maharaja Vinay Singh
- Formed by building a bund across a tributary of the Ruparel River
Biodiversity Significance
- Supports avifauna such as Egyptian Vulture and Black Stork
- Presence of flagship and endangered fauna including Tiger, Indian Pangolin, Leopard, and Sambar
Kopra Reservoir (Chhattisgarh):
Location & Setting
- Situated in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh
- Reservoir located in the upper catchment of the Mahanadi River
Ecological Characteristics
- Large open water body with shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters
- Supports both resident and migratory bird species
Biodiversity Significance
- Key species include Bar-headed Goose, Egyptian Vulture, River Tern, and Greater Spotted Eagle
Major Threats
- Siltation reducing storage and ecological capacity
- Spread of invasive non-native species
- Pressure from intensive agriculture in surrounding areas
About the Ramsar List
Genesis
- Established under the Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran
- Forms the world’s largest global network of protected wetland areas
Membership
- Nearly 90% of UN member states, including India, are Contracting Parties
Significance
- Ramsar designation provides international recognition
- Strengthens protection at the national level
- Emphasises sustainable use of wetlands rather than exclusionary conservation
Criteria
- The Wetland must meet at least one of nine specific criteria related to biodiversity, hydrology, or species support to be designated a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) under the Ramsar Convention. These criteria, developed by the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention)