Environment & ClimateImportant2025-12-15

Two New Ramsar Sites Designated in India

Why focus: Kopra Jalashay (CG) & Siliserh (RJ). Highly format-friendly for classic Match-the-Following wetlands questions in GS3 Environment.

In News

What Happened

On December 15, 2025, India designated two new wetlands, Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Jalashay in Chhattisgarh, as Ramsar Sites of International Importance. This addition brings India's total number of recognized Ramsar wetlands to 96. Kopra Jalashay marks a significant milestone as Chhattisgarh's first-ever Ramsar site, while Siliserh Lake is a human-made freshwater lake situated in the buffer zone of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Why It Matters

The designation boosts international funding, conservation efforts, and eco-tourism for these specific regions. It is especially crucial for Chhattisgarh, putting the state on the global wetland conservation map for the first time, and it highlights the ecological value of human-made water bodies in wildlife buffer zones like Sariska.

Background

History & Context

The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, was signed in 1971 and came into force in India in 1982. India has been rapidly expanding its list of designated sites under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aiming to protect critical aquatic ecosystems from degradation. Siliserh Lake, originally constructed in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh to supply water to Alwar, has evolved into a vital habitat for migratory birds. Kopra Jalashay has similarly gained ecological prominence, leading to its formal proposal by the state government and subsequent approval by the Ramsar Secretariat.

What Changed

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Total Ramsar Sites: BEFORE the designation, India had 94 Ramsar sites; NOW the total stands at 96 recognized Wetlands of International Importance.
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Chhattisgarh's Conservation Status: BEFORE this update, Chhattisgarh had zero Ramsar sites; NOW Kopra Jalashay serves as the state's first internationally recognized wetland.
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Protection Level for Siliserh: BEFORE, Siliserh Lake was primarily managed as a local reservoir and tourist spot under domestic jurisdiction; NOW, it receives international conservation monitoring under the Ramsar framework.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This relates to Class 11 India Physical Environment Chapter 5 - Natural Vegetation, which covers wetland ecosystems and wildlife conservation strategies. The recognition of Siliserh Lake specifically illustrates how man-made wetlands in the buffer zones of protected areas like tiger reserves play a critical role in supporting regional biodiversity.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding India's newly designated Ramsar sites? 1. Kopra Jalashay is the first wetland in Chhattisgarh to be designated as a Ramsar site. 2. Siliserh Lake is a naturally formed saltwater lake located in the core area of the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

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