5 more wetlands get Ramsar tag, takes India to 4th position globally
NEW DELHI: Five more wetlands of India got a tag of international importance under Ramsar Convention on Wednesday, two days ahead of the World Wetlands Day, taking the total number of such globally recognised wetlands in the country to 80.
New addition has made India the fourth largest country in terms of number of sites in the list after the UK (175), Mexico (144), China (82).The wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily/ seasonally or permanently. Such areas play a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials.
The five newly added Indian sites in the list are Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve and Aghanashini Estuary in Karnataka. In India, Tamil Nadu continues to have the maximum number of Ramsar sites (16) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
Proposals of six more sites from India are being considered for the global tag by the Convention secretariat. The number of Indian sites in the list has increased from 26 to 80 in the last ten years, of which 38 have been added in the last three years.
Environment minister Bhupender Yadav said his ministry was planning to bring Ramsar sites under a “systematic management evaluation system” on the lines of protected areas which will enable wetlands managers to self-evaluate their performance, and make necessary mid-course correction.
“Our vision is that the management of Ramsar Sites should serve as demonstration and replicable models for other wetlands, so that the society collectively ensures conservation of these Amrit Dharohars,” said Yadav.
The Convention was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across its 172-member countries including India.
New addition has made India the fourth largest country in terms of number of sites in the list after the UK (175), Mexico (144), China (82).The wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily/ seasonally or permanently. Such areas play a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials.
The five newly added Indian sites in the list are Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve and Aghanashini Estuary in Karnataka. In India, Tamil Nadu continues to have the maximum number of Ramsar sites (16) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
Proposals of six more sites from India are being considered for the global tag by the Convention secretariat. The number of Indian sites in the list has increased from 26 to 80 in the last ten years, of which 38 have been added in the last three years.
Environment minister Bhupender Yadav said his ministry was planning to bring Ramsar sites under a “systematic management evaluation system” on the lines of protected areas which will enable wetlands managers to self-evaluate their performance, and make necessary mid-course correction.
“Our vision is that the management of Ramsar Sites should serve as demonstration and replicable models for other wetlands, so that the society collectively ensures conservation of these Amrit Dharohars,” said Yadav.
The Convention was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across its 172-member countries including India.
