Ramsar sites in India: 10 more sites added - Full list; PM Modi hails move

Ramsar sites in India: The Union Environment Ministry has added 10 more wetlands, taking the total Ramsar sites to 64. The new Ramsar sites include six from Tamil Nadu and one each from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. The new sites cover a total of 12,50,361 hectares of land.

The Ramsar list focuses on "developing and maintaining an international network of wetlands, which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life, through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits".

"The designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources," the Environment Ministry said in a statement. 

India is one of the contracting parties to the Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. New Delhi signed it on February 1, 1982. according to officials.

Ramsar sites in India

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary: A man-made wetland which covers an area of 72.04 hectares.

Situated in Nanguneri Taluk of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, it is the largest reserve for breeding resident and migratory water birds in South India.

Satkosia: This site spreads along the magnificent gorge over the river Mahanadi in Odisha.

Established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary, Satkosia is the meeting point of two biogeographic regions of India: the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats.

Nanda Lake: Considered as critically significant for its ecosystem services and biodiversity values for the local communities and society at large.

A majority of the area is intermittent freshwater marshes that lie adjacent to one of the major rivulets of the Zuari River.

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve: This site is located in the southeastern coastline and is a unique marine environment rich in biodiversity.

Notably, This is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South-East Asia.

Ranganthittu bird sanctuary: Located in the Mandya district of Karnataka, it has been enlisted as one of the Important Bird Areas in Karnataka and India by the Bombay Natural History Society.

Vembannur wetland: Tamil Nadu is the host to this man-made inland tank which forms the southernmost tip of peninsular India.

This wetland forms part of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area and hence part of the BirdLife International Data Zone. About 250 species of birds have been recorded in the district.

Vellode Bird Sanctuary: This site is located at the Vadamugam Vellode village in Tamil Nadu's Erode District. Locally known as Periyakulam Yeri, it is one of the 141 prioritized wetlands in the state.

Sirpur wetland: A significant historical wetland in Indore which is only important for its aesthetic value but also provides immense ecological services.

Vedanthangal wetland: This is one of the oldest bird-protected areas in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu.

This freshwater wetland is a people-protected waterbird area, the history of which goes back to centuries where locals have been protecting this heronry and in return benefited from the manure-rich water from the lake.

Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary: Located in the TiruthuraipoondiTaluk of Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, It forms an important staging and breeding ground for several species of waterbirds.

Every environment lover will feel happy that 10 more wetlands in India have been designated as Ramsar sites. Last month, 5 sites achieved the same recognition. This will deepen our commitment to protect our natural surroundings. pic.twitter.com/vf7AKeXT2z

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 3, 2022

Tweeting about the achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "Every environment lover will feel happy that 10 more wetlands in India have been designated as Ramsar sites. Last month, 5 sites achieved the same recognition. This will deepen our commitment to protect our natural surroundings."

With inputs from PTI