India increases its tally of Ramsar sites to 80 by adding five more wetlands on eve of World Wetlands Day 2024

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024, to be celebrated on 2 February, India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 from existing 75 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites. In a post Yadav said he met Dr Musonda Mumba, the Secretary General of Ramsar Convention who handed over the certificates of the aforesaid five sites

 

The Union Minister congratulated the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka whose wetlands have made it to the list of Ramsar Sites.

Three of the sites are in Karnataka whereas two are in Tamil Nadu

Three of these sites, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve are located in Karnataka whereas two, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest are in Tamil Nadu.

 

With the addition of these five wetlands to List of Wetlands of International Importance, the total area covered under Ramsar sites is now 13.3 lakh hectares. Tamil Nadu continues to have maximum number of Ramsar Sites (16 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites). 

 

India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. World Wetlands Day (WWD) is celebrated across the globe to commemorate the adoption of this international agreement on wetlands on 2nd February 1971. India ratified this Convention on 1st February 1982

Number of Ramsar sites has increased from 26 to 80 in 10 years

Earlier in August 2022, India achieved a significant milestone of taking the total number of Ramsar Sites to 75 during the 75th Year of Independence. Due to a significant policy push from the Government of India, the number of Ramsar sites has increased from 26 to 80 in the last ten years, of which 38 have been added in the last three years alone.

 

The theme of WWD-2024 is ‘Wetlands and Human Well being’ which underscores the critical role wetlands play in enhancing our lives. It highlights how wetlands contribute to flood protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational opportunities, all of which are essential for human health and prosperity.

World Wetlands Day event at Sirpur Lake, Indore on 2 Feb

This year, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh, is organizing the national World Wetlands Day event at Sirpur Lake, Indore, a Ramsar site designated in 2022. 

Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of Ramsar Convention is visiting India to participate in the WWD 2024 to be held at Sirpur Ramsar site in Indore on 2nd February, 2024. The event will also be attended by senior officials from Govt. of India, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, State/ UT Wetland Authority representatives and site managers of Ramsar sites.