Context:

• On February 2, 2025, on the occasion of World Wetlands Day, the Government of India added 4 new sites to the Ramsar List. With this, the total number of Ramsar sites in India has increased to 89.

Key Points:

New Ramsar Sites:

1. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):

• Located in Ramanathapuram district and spans 230.495 hectares.
• A crucial breeding and feeding ground for aquatic birds along the Central Asian Flyway.

2. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):

• Also located in Ramanathapuram district, spread across 29.30 hectares.
• Home to a variety of birds, including migratory species.

3. Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim):

• Situated at an altitude of 1700 meters in West Sikkim.
• A sacred site revered by both Buddhists and Hindus.

4. Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand):

• Located in Sahibganj district, comprising two water bodies, Patouran and Berhale, connected by a channel.
• Supports a wide range of bird species, including migratory birds.

Ramsar Sites:

• Wetlands of international importance designated for their ecological significance and conservation needs.
• Named after Ramsar, Iran, where the Ramsar Convention was signed.

Ramsar Convention:

• Signed on: February 2, 1971 (World Wetlands Day is observed annually on this date).
• Came into force: 1975.
• Ramsar List is maintained by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, based in Gland, Switzerland, under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

India’s Participation:

• India joined the Ramsar Convention in 1982.
• First Indian Ramsar Sites: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Chilika Lake (Odisha) in 1981.

Overview of Ramsar Sites in India:

• Most Ramsar Sites: Tamil Nadu (18).
• Second Highest: Uttar Pradesh (10).
• Largest Ramsar Site in India: Sundarbans, West Bengal.
• Smallest Ramsar Site in India: Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh.

Global Ranking:

India is the third-highest in the world for Ramsar sites, after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).

What Are Wetlands?

• Areas permanently or seasonally filled with water, such as rivers, lakes, marshes, and coastal zones.

Types of Wetlands:

1. Freshwater Wetlands

2. Saltwater Wetlands

3. Artificial Wetlands

Significance of Wetlands:

• Water conservation and groundwater recharge.
•  Flood control and coastal protection.
•  Biodiversity preservation.
• Livelihood source for local communities.

Global Wetland Conservation Initiatives:

1. Montreux Record:

•  A list of wetlands facing significant ecological changes due to human or natural causes.

2. World Wetlands Day:

• Observed on February 2 annually.
• 2025 Theme: "Conserving Wetlands for Our Shared Future."

National Wetland Conservation Initiatives:

1. Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.

2. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA):

• Focused on preserving aquatic ecosystems.

3. Amrit Dharohar Capacity-Building Program:

• Launched in June 2023 for wetland management.

4. National Wetlands Conservation Program (NWCP):

• Initiated in 1985 to preserve wetlands.