Central Idea

Kawar Lake, Bihar’s only Ramsar Site, is experiencing a significant decrease in water levels and degradation.
However, it is drying up due to negligence.

About Kanwar Lake/ Kabartal Wetland

The Kanwar Lake is Asia’s largest oxbow lake situated in the Begusarai district of Bihar.
It is a residual oxbow lake, formed due to the meandering of Gandak River, a tributary of Ganga.
It was declared a Ramsar site in 2020, making it the first wetland in Bihar to be included in the Ramsar convention.
This lake draws water from the confluence of the Gandak, the Bia and the Kareh river – is situated near Manjhaul, 22 km northwest of Begusarai, the district headquarters.

Challenges include migratory bird hunting, agricultural activities around wetland areas, and government policies related to wetland management and conservation.
This decline has negatively impacted the livelihoods of around 20,000 Nishad community members in nearby villages who depend on fishing.

Bihar possesses a substantial area of wetlands, covering around 4.4% of its total geographical area, according to data from ISRO.
Despite its wetland potential, Bihar has only one recognized Ramsar site out of a total of 75 in India.

Bihar has proposed several wetlands for Ramsar designation, including Kusheshwarsthan, Barela, Goga Bil, Nagiand Nakti dams, Udaipur Lake, Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, and Gokul Reservoir.
These wetlands are home to a range of wildlife, including migratory birds and endangered species like dolphins.

	Ramsar Convention
Purpose	International treaty aimed at conserving and promoting the sustainable use of wetlands.
Establishment	Established on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran.
Participating Countries	171 contracting parties (countries) as of September 2021.
India and Ramsar Convention	The first Ramsar Site in India, the Chilika Lake in Odisha, was designated in 1981.