5 New Indian Wetlands added as Ramsar Sites | UPSC

Ramsar Sites in India have expanded with the addition of five new wetlands on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024.

About the New Ramsar Sites:

Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Karnataka):

• It is a human-made Village Irrigation Tank that supports over 30,000 waterbirds.
• It is rich in biodiversity, housing over 240 bird species, including Painted Stork and Black–headed Ibis.

Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka):

• It spreads over 4801 ha at the confluence of Aghanashini River and the Arabian Sea.
• It provides diverse ecosystem services, and supports fishing, agriculture, and livelihoods.
• It regularly hosts over 43,000 counts of 66 waterbird species.

Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Karnataka):

• It is a human-made wetland constructed for rainwater storage (50 hectares).
• It is home to 166 bird species, including vulnerable and near-threatened species.
• It is designated as an Important Bird Area and a priority area for conservation.

Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):

• It is a significant inland wetland for groundwater recharge.
• It supports agricultural activities in the region.
• It recorded 198 bird species, including Bar-headed Goose and Common Pochard.

Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Tamil Nadu):

• It is a tropical rain forests found in the upper reaches of Tamil Nadu.
• It is habitat for globally endangered and vulnerable bird species.
• 14 out of 26 endemic bird species of the Western Ghats are found here.

Other key facts:

• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
• India has seen a significant increase in Ramsar sites from 26 to 80 in the last ten years, with 38 added in the last 3 years alone.
• Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have the second and highest number of Ramsar sites, respectively.
• World Wetlands Day 2024 was celebrated on 2^nd February with the theme- ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing.‘

Ref: Source

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