Context: Recently, the Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh was designated as a Ramsar site, taking India’s total to 99.
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary:
- Location: It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
- It is a typical monsoonal wetland of the Gangetic plains.
- It is a fresh water perennial water body that came into existence after the formation of the Upper Ganges Canal in 1852 which flows adjacent to the lake.
- It acts as a crucial stopover on the Central Asian Flyway.
- Vegetation:
- The submerged vegetation consists of Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis, Potamogeton crispus and Najas.
- Free-floating vegetation consists of Salvinia and Azolla, Eichhornia crassipes. Rooted floating vegetation includes Nymphoides cristata and Nymphoides indica.
- Fauna: It is providing a vital habitat for migratory birds such as the Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork and various ducks during the winter season.