Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) designated as India’s 100th Ramsar site

Jun 05, 2026

2 min read

VIVEK NALI

India has designated Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary as its 100th site on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”).
This “Ramsar Site” (Site no.2595) in the state of Uttar Pradesh is a freshwater wetland in the middle stretch of the Ganga (Ganges) River basin.
It was originally formed from a meander of the Ganga and receives freshwater inflow through three channels.
The landscape in and around the Site is characterized by floodplains, extensive marshes, seasonally flooded areas and rice paddies.
During the summer months, when many smaller wetlands in the region dry out, the Site provides an important refuge for waterbirds.
The diverse waterfowl species recorded at the Site include the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina) and the Indian river tern (Sterna aurantia).
The Site also supports a rich diversity of other species, including 221 plant species, 66 fish species, seven reptile species, and three amphibian species.
Notable fish include the vulnerable Wallago attu and Bagarius bagarius. The abundance of fish also attracts the vulnerable fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), which uses the Site as a feeding ground.
To address the threat of over-fishing and harvesting of aquatic resources, management measures such as seasonal controls and the prohibition of destructive practices are in place.