75 Ramsar Sites in 75th Year of Independence as India adds 11 more wetlands to the list

New Delhi, Aug 13: Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav on Saturday tweeted that 11 more Indian wetlands have got Ramsar recognition as “wetlands of international importance”. This makes India's total to 75 Ramsar sites cover an area of 13,26,677 ha in the country in the 75th year of Independence. India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

 

 

The 11 new sites include four sites in Tamil Nadu, three in Odisha, two in Jammu & Kashmir and one each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. "Designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources," the Environment Ministry said in a statement.

 

 

India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India signed it on 1st Feb 1982. During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2022, the country has added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites.

 

During this year itself (2022) a total of 28 sites have been declared as Ramsar sites. Based on the date of designation mentioned on Ramsar Certificate, the number is 19 for this year (2022) and 14 for previous year (2021). Tamil Nadu has maximum no. of Ramsar sites (14 nos), followed by UP which has 10 nos. of Ramsar sites.

 

1. Tampara Lake, Odisha

2. Hirakud Reservoir, Odisha

3. Ansupa Lake, Odisha

4. Yashwant Sagar, MP

5. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

6. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu

7. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

8. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu

9. Thane Creek, Maharashtra

10.Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, J&K

11.Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, J&K