[CA/Geog] 2 More Indian wetlands in Ramsar Convention

 

The number of protected wetlands in India under the Ramsar Convention increased by 50% in one year, taking the number of such sites of international importance from 27 in 2019 to 41 this year. The 49-year-old convention is an inter-governmental global treaty meant to preserve the ecological character of selected wetlands across the globe.

A day after Environment Minister, Mr. Prakash Javadekar announced Kabartal in Begusarai (Bihar) getting the Ramsar tag, his ministry said two more sites were added to the list —

(1) Sur Sarovar in Agra and

(2) Lonar Lake on the Deccan plateau in Maharashtra

Getting Ramsar tag assumes significance for conservation of wetlands in a dedicated manner. Besides playing a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, wetlands provide water, food, fibre and raw materials. Wetlands — land areas covered by water, either seasonally or permanently — support lakhs of migratory birds from colder regions of the world in summers.

Sur Sarovar, also known as Keetham Lake, is a man-made reservoir. Created to supply water to Agra city in the summer, the wetland soon became an important ecological site that provides refuge to migratory birds and more than 60 species of fish. Over 30,000 waterbirds are known to visit the reservoir annually.

Lonar Lake in Maharashtra was formed by a meteorite impact on the basalt bedrock. The site includes the lake as well as escarpments, which form the crater walls, and forested zones.

List of Indian wetlands in Ramsar Convention