India increases its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80
By CCN News | Published: Feb 5, 2024
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India has expanded its count of Ramsar sites—Wetlands of International Importance—from 75 to 80 by officially designating five additional wetlands.
The states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has added their Wetlands in the Ramsar Sites list.
Among the newly designated sites, three—Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve—are located in Karnataka, while Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest are in Tamil Nadu. With these additions, the total area covered under Ramsar sites in India now stands at 1.33 million hectares, marking an increase of 5,523.87 hectares from the previous area of 1.327 million hectares. Tamil Nadu maintains the highest number of Ramsar Sites with 16 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.
India, a signatory to the Ramsar Convention since 1982, commemorates World Wetlands Day on February 2 each year to celebrate the adoption of the international agreement on wetlands in 1971. The theme for WWD-2024, 'Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,' underscores the critical role wetlands play in enhancing human lives through flood protection, clean water, biodiversity preservation, and recreational opportunities.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India, in partnership with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, will host the national World Wetlands Day event at Sirpur Lake, Indore—a Ramsar site designated in 2022.
Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, will visit India to participate in the event, which will gather senior officials from the Government of India, Government of Madhya Pradesh, State/UT Wetland Authority representatives, and site managers of Ramsar sites on February 2, 2024.
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