Context

• On the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024, India has included five new wetland sites in the Ramsar list. Of these, two wetlands are in Tamil Nadu and three are in Karnataka.

Key Points

• Dr. Musonda, General Secretary of Ramsar Convention, handed over its certificate to Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav. It is noteworthy that the total number of Indian places included in this list has reached 80.
• The five new wetlands included in the Ramsar site are Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve located in Karnataka, while Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest are in Tamil Nadu.
• With this, Tamil Nadu remains at the top with 16 wetlands in Ramsar sites. Whereas UP is at second place with ten wetlands.
• According to the Ministry of Forest and Environment, the number of wetlands included in Ramsar sites in the country has increased rapidly in the last ten years.
• Before 2014, only 26 wetlands of the country were included in these. Whereas now 80 wetlands of the country are included in these.
• In the last three years, 38 wetlands have received the status of Ramsar site.
• Impact of inclusion in Ramsar list
• The Ramsar Tag helps to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands that are important for sustaining human life through the conservation of global biological diversity and the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits.
• The sites are protected under the strict guidelines of the Convention.

 IMPORTANT FACTS FOR EXAM

World Wetlands Day 

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February.
• It is noteworthy that on February 2, 1971, the Ramsar Convention was adopted by various countries on wetlands in Ramsar, Iran.
• The theme of World Wetlands Day in the year 2024 is – Wetlands and Human Wellbeing.