India has added Chhari Dhand and Patna Bird Sanctuary to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”), bringing its total number of “Ramsar Sites” to 98.
- Patna Bird Sanctuary — Etah district, Uttar Pradesh
- Chhari-Dhand Wetland — Kutch district, Gujarat
Announcement made by Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The declaration comes ahead of World Wetlands Day (2 February).
Chhari-Dhand Wetland (Gujarat)
- Chhari Dhand in the state of Gujarat is a seasonal saline wetland located between the arid grasslands of Banni and the salt flats of Kachchh.
- It floods during the monsoon season, forming extensive water bodies that provide important habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species.
- Notable plants at the Site include Indian gum tragacanth (Sterculia urens) and the critically endangered Indian bdellium-tree (Commiphora wightii), both of which are adapted to arid conditions and characteristic of the region.
- The Site is also an important wintering ground for waterfowl, supporting species such as the critically endangered sociable lapwing (Vanellus gregarius), the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina) and, notably, approximately 30,000 common cranes (Grus grus) annually.
- Invasive species pose a significant threat to the Site, but restoration plans have been developed in collaboration with local government agencies, NGOs, and community groups to address this challenge and support long-term conservation.
Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)
- Patna Bird Sanctuary in the state of Uttar Pradesh consists of freshwater marshes, woodlands and grasslands, and is surrounded by agricultural landscape. Together, these different landscapes create a wide range of habitats and support a high level of biodiversity, reflected in the 178 bird species and 252 plant species recorded at the Site.
- Patna Bird Sanctuary is particularly important in supporting waterbird populations and has been designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The Site also provides habitat for larger species, such as the regionally characteristic and vulnerable broad-snouted crocodile (Crocodylus palustris).
- The area is an important destination for religious tourism and nature-based recreation. However, these activities exert pressure on the Site, as do threats from invasive species.
- Conservation measures are being implemented to address these challenges, including regular removal of invasive plants, regulation and monitoring of tourism activities, and ongoing monitoring of migratory birds and avian influenza.
About the Ramsar List
Genesis
- Established under the Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran
- The Convention on Wetlands provides the single most global framework for intergovernmental cooperation on wetland issues.
Membership
- Nearly 90% of UN member states, including India, are Contracting Parties.
- At the time of joining the Convention, each Contracting Party must designate at least one wetland site within their territory for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”).
Significance
- The inclusion of a wetland in the List embodies the government’s commitment to take the steps necessary to ensure that its ecological character is maintained.
- The Convention includes various measures to respond to threats to the ecological character of Sites.
- 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)
Montreux Record in India
- The Montreux Record is a register under the Ramsar Convention for Ramsar sites facing significant ecological changes due to pollution, technology, or human interference.
- It identifies priority sites for conservation, often enabling international assistance.
- In India, two sites are currently on this record:
- Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and
- Loktak Lake (Manipur).