Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ramsar Wetland sites in India
Why in the News?
Ahead of World Wetlands Day (February 2nd), the Environment Ministry announced the inclusion of four new Ramsar sites, bringing India’s total to 89.
The newly designated sites are Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary and Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim, and Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary in Jharkhand. With this, Tamil Nadu now has 20 Ramsar sites, the highest in the country, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.
About the Newly Added Ramsar Sites:
|
Description |
| Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu |
- Location: Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.
- Originally an irrigation tank, now a designated bird sanctuary.
- Recharged by northeast monsoon (Oct-Jan).
- Supports 42+ bird species, including Spot-billed Pelican, Grey Heron, Little Cormorant, and Black Kite.
|
| Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu |
- Location: Theerthangal Village, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.
- A freshwater ecosystem and an important breeding ground for waterbirds.
- Recorded 96 bird species across 18 orders and 44 families.
- Notable species include Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Asian Woolly-necked Stork, and Spot-billed Pelican.
|
| Khecheopalri Wetland, Sikkim |
- Location: West Sikkim, near Khecheopalri Village.
- A sacred lake revered by Buddhists and Hindus.
- Part of a temperate Himalayan peatland ecosystem, surrounded by broad-leaved mixed temperate forests.
- Flora: Rich in macrophytes, phytoplankton, and zooplankton.
- Fauna: Supports fish species like Cyprinus carpio, Danio aequipinnatus, and various migratory birds (Common Merganser, Tufted Duck).
|
| Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary, Jharkhand |
- Location: Sahebganj District, Jharkhand.
- Comprises two interconnected lakes: Pataura (155 ha) and Berhale (410 ha).
- Connected to the Ganga River via the Udhuwa Nala (25 km stretch).
- Pataura Lake depth: ~2 meters; Berhale Lake depth: ~70 cm, covered with aquatic vegetation.
- Flora: Home to 42 algae species and 36 aquatic macrophytes.
- Fauna: Habitat for 83 bird species, including the Near Threatened Black-necked Stork and 22 commercially valuable fish species.
|
PYQ:
[2019] Consider the following statements:
- Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
- The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
- The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 3 |
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