India Adds Three New Ramsar Sites, Total Wetlands Reaches To 85

15 August 2024

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, announced on the eve of Independence Day 2024 that India has expanded its number of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) from 82 to 85 by designating three additional wetlands as Ramsar Sites. In a post on X, Yadav expressed his joy over the inclusion of these three new Ramsar sites just before Independence Day.

As the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day, he is excited to share that three more Ramsar sites have been added to the network, bringing the total to 85 Ramsar sites, which cover an area of 1,358,068 hectares in India.

Triple joy!

As the Nation gears up to celebrate its Independence Day, thrilled to share that we have added three Ramsar sites to our network. This takes our tally to 85 Ramsar sites, covering an area of 1358068 ha in India.

The achievement reflects the emphasis PM Shri… pic.twitter.com/GiSK6uREhV

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 14, 2024

Yadav stated that this achievement highlights Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on fostering a connection with nature, referring to our wetlands as Amrit Dharohars and emphasizing ongoing efforts for their preservation.

The Union Minister extended congratulations to the states of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh for having their wetlands recognized as Ramsar sites. Shri Yadav also expressed that India should commit to making Viksit Bharat synonymous with a Green Bharat.

With this new addition, the total area of Ramsar sites in the country has reached 1,358,067.757 hectares. The three newly designated sites include the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, as well as the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh. These newly recognized sites reflect the substantial policy initiatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change aimed at wetland conservation and management in India.India is one of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, which was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. The country became a signatory to the convention on February 1, 1982. From 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were included in the Ramsar list, but from 2014 to 2024, India has added 59 new wetlands to this list.

Currently, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar Sites, with 18 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh, which has 10 sites.

List of newly designated Ramsar Sites.

1. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary:

Nanjarayan Lake is a large, shallow wetland located in the northeastern part of Uthukuli Taluk in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu. The wetlands in this area primarily rely on weather patterns, particularly the heavy rainfall that flows from the Nallar drainage. Situated about 10 km north of Tiruppur city along the Tiruppur-Uthukkuli main road, the lake spans an area of 125.865 hectares near Sarkar Periyapalayam village. It encompasses two villages: Sarkar Periyapalayam and Neruperichal. The lake received its name from King Nanjarayan, who restored and repaired it many centuries ago.

Additionally, around 191 bird species, 87 butterfly species, 7 amphibian species, 21 reptile species, 11 small mammal species, and 77 plant species have been documented in and around the lake. This site serves as both a feeding and nesting habitat for resident bird species, while migratory birds utilize the lake as a feeding ground during their migration. The lake is also a crucial water source for agricultural activities in the area and plays a significant role in groundwater recharge. It has been designated as the 17th bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu due to its rich avifaunal diversity. The local community has developed a strong commitment to protecting the lake and its habitat, and the forest department collaborates with them to manage the lake sustainably.

2. The Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, which spans an area of 5,151.6 hectares, was designated as the 16th bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu in 2021. This sanctuary features a brackish shallow lake located along the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district, north of Pondicherry. The lake is linked to the Bay of Bengal through the brackish Uppukalli creek and the Edayanthittu Estuary. Kazhuveli is recognized as a significant and biodiverse wetland, making it one of the largest wetlands in peninsular India. 

The lake can be categorized into three sections based on its water characteristics: the estuarine area with brackish water, the Uppukalli creek that channels seawater, and the Kazhuveli basin which contains freshwater. 

Situated along the Central Asian Flyway, the Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary serves as a vital stopover for migratory bird species and a breeding ground for resident birds, as well as a habitat for fish and a major source of recharge for aquifers. In the brackish water regions, there are highly degraded mangrove patches with Avicennia species. Historically, this area was believed to have hosted Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests. Additionally, large expanses of reed (Typha angustata) can be found across several hundred hectares in this region.

3. The Tawa Reservoir is located at the junction of the Tawa and Denwa rivers. The main tributaries of the Tawa Reservoir include the Malani, Sonbhadra, and Nagdwari rivers. The Tawa River, a left bank tributary, begins in the Mahadeo hills of Chhindwara district, flows through Betul district, and eventually merges with the Narmada River in Narmadapuram district. It is the longest tributary of the Narmada River, stretching 172 km. The reservoir is positioned near Itarsi town and was primarily constructed for irrigation purposes. However, it has also been repurposed for power generation and aquaculture. The total area submerged by the Tawa Reservoir is 20,050 hectares, while its total catchment area spans 598,290 hectares.

The Tawa Reservoir falls under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department in Narmadapuram district. It is situated within the Satpura Tiger Reserve, forming the western boundary of both the Satpura National Park and the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. The reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting aquatic flora and fauna, particularly birds and wildlife. Numerous rare and endangered species of plants, reptiles, and insects inhabit this area. It serves as a vital habitat for many local and migratory bird species and is the largest protected area in Madhya Pradesh. The region boasts many unique ecological, archaeological, historical, and forestry features.