Environment & ClimateImportant2025-02-02

Four New Ramsar Sites Designated in India

Why focus: GS3 Environment: High-yield 'Match-the-Following' for new Ramsar sites vs States. Direct link to Montreux Record and wetland rules.

In News

What Happened

On February 2, 2025, which marks World Wetlands Day, India designated four new wetlands as Ramsar sites. The new additions include Sakkarakottai and Therthangal Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim, and Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand. This official recognition brings India's total number of internationally important Ramsar sites to 89.

Why It Matters

This designation is a major ecological milestone as it grants both Sikkim and Jharkhand their first-ever Ramsar sites, ensuring targeted conservation funding and international attention. It also reinforces India's commitment to protecting the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds and preserving vital ecosystem services under national conservation frameworks.

Background

History & Context

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty adopted on February 2, 1971, in Ramsar, Iran, which India officially ratified in 1982. In recent years, India has rapidly expanded its protected wetlands network through initiatives like the Amrit Dharohar scheme launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The identification and protection of these ecosystems are strictly guided by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, functioning in tandem with State Wetland Authorities.

What Changed

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Total Ramsar Sites: BEFORE the February 2025 announcement, India had 85 Ramsar sites; NOW, the national total has increased to 89.
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State Representation: BEFORE this update, Sikkim and Jharkhand had zero recognized Ramsar wetlands; NOW, both states feature on the international map with their first respective sites.
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Tamil Nadu's Tally: BEFORE the additions, Tamil Nadu led the country with 18 Ramsar sites; NOW, with two new bird sanctuaries, it solidifies its top position with 20 sites.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This development directly connects to Class 11 Geography (India Physical Environment), Chapter 5 - Natural Vegetation, which discusses wetland ecosystems and their conservation. The addition of these sites highlights the practical application of national wetland management policies and emphasizes the preservation of habitats crucial for migratory avian species.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements regarding the recently designated Ramsar sites in India is/are correct? 1. The addition of Khecheopalri Wetland and Udhwa Lake gave Sikkim and Jharkhand their first-ever Ramsar sites, respectively. 2. Following the addition of Sakkarakottai and Therthangal Bird Sanctuaries, Tamil Nadu holds the highest number of Ramsar sites among all Indian states.

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