India's growing Ramsar network

Two Indian wetlands have been added to India's growing Ramsar Network.

- Meena Janardhan

Indian Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mr Bhupender Yadav announced that the Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district of Gujarat have been included in the Ramsar sites list. This is significant as the World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2 February and marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.The Minister stated in a post on social media platform 'X' that the two wetlands provide habitat to hundreds of migratory and resident bird species. The areas are also home to wildlife such as chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes, besides endangered birds. India's Ramsar network has expanded by over 276%, from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites at present. He stated that the international recognition reflects India's strong commitment to protecting the environment and conserving its wetlands.

The India section of the Ramsar network highlights that Chhari Dhand in the state of Gujarat (Site no. 2588 on the List) is a seasonal saline wetland located between the arid grasslands of Banni and the salt flats of Kachchh. It floods during the monsoon season, forming extensive water bodies that provide important habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species.