Wetlands: India
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Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites)
2020: 10 more Indian wetlands included
Vishwa Mohan, January 29, 2020: The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Ten more Indian wetland sites, including the first from Maharashtra, have received the tag of international importance under the Ramsar Convention — an inter-governmental global treaty to preserve ecological character of selected wetlands across the globe.
With the addition of these ten sites, one in Maharashtra, three in Punjab and six in Uttar Pradesh, the list of wetlands in India under the Convention has grown to 37 with surface area of over 10,679 sq km, an area nearly the size of Sikkim and Goa put together. India’s list of 37 includes Sambhar lake of Rajasthan which had last year seen mass mortality of migratory birds due to avian botulism caused by a bacteria. This saline lake had entered the global list in 1990. Globally, there are over 2,300 Ramsar sites around the world, covering over 2.1 million sq km.
The new Indian sites include Nandur Madhameshwar bird sanctuary (Maharashtra); Beas conservation reserve, Keshopur-Miani community reserve and Nangal wildlife sanctuary (Punjab); Nawabganj bird sanctuary, Parvati Arga bird sanctuary, Saman bird sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar lake, Samaspur bird sanctuary and Sandi bird sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh).
“The site (Nandur Madhameshwar) is used by diverse group of species especially by resident birds for breeding and by migratory birds as a winter stopover site,” tweeted Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar while congratulating Maharashtra on getting its first Ramsar site.
Under the Ramsar (Iran) Convention of 1971, the member countries identify those sites which are recognised as being of significant value not only for the country or the countries in which they are located, but for humanity as a whole.
“The inclusion of a wetland in the list embodies the government’s commitment to take steps necessary to ensure that its ecological character is maintained. The Convention includes various measures to respond to threats to the ecological character of sites,” said the global accord on its website.
The wetlands — land areas covered by water, either temporarily\seasonally or permanently — play a key role in flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials. Besides, such land areas also support migratory birds from colder regions of the world in summers, apart from mangroves that protect coastlines and filter pollutants.
Sharing information on new Ramsar sites ahead of the World Wetlands Day (February 2), the environment ministry on Tuesday claimed that it has prepared a four-pronged strategy for the restoration of wetlands which includes preparing a baseline data, wetland health cards, enlisting wetland ‘mitras’ (friends) and preparation of targeted Integrated Management Plans. The ministry had on January 6 notified new guidelines for implementing Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 which prohibit setting up or expansion of industries, and disposal of construction and demolition waste within the wetlands.
2020: number of protected wetlands increases 50%
Vishwa Mohan, November 14, 2020: The Times of India
From: Vishwa Mohan, November 14, 2020: The Times of India
Sur Sarovar And Lonar Lake Now Ramsar Sites
The number of protected wetlands in India under the Ramsar Convention increased by 50% in one year, taking the number of such sites of international importance from 27 in 2019 to 41 this year. The 49-year-old convention is an inter-governmental global treaty meant to preserve the ecological character of selected wetlands across the globe.
A day after environment minister Prakash Javadekar announced Kabartal in Begusarai (Bihar) getting the Ramsar tag, his ministry on Friday said two more sites were added to the list — Sur Sarovar in Agra and Lonar Lake on the Deccan plateau in Maharashtra. Getting Ramsar tag assumes significance for conservation of wetlands in a dedicated manner. Besides playing a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, wetlands provide water, food, fibre and raw materials. Wetlands support lakhs of migratory birds.
Created to supply water to Agra city in the summer, Sur Sarovar has become an important ecological site that provides refuge to migratory birds and more than 60 species of fish. Lonar Lake was formed by a meteorite impact on the basalt bedrock.
2021: Ramsar Tag For 2 Haryana Wetlands
Ipsita Pati, August 11, 2021: The Times of India
From: Ipsita Pati, August 11, 2021: The Times of India
For the first time, two wetlands of Haryana — Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon and Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary in Jhajjar — have been included in the Ramsar list. The number of protected Ramsar sites in India has now gone up to 46, with two more from Gujarat being included this year.
Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance that have been designated under the criteria of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971. The Ramsar status gives wetlands legal protection and guidelines for management and will supplement Haryana’s efforts to ensure their conservation.
The inclusion of the two wetlands was announced on the Ramsar secretariat’s website last week, while the state wildlife department said a final notification from the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change could come on August 15. Haryana has some1,441 wetlands, but none were protected under the Ramsar treaty till now, according to data from the ministry.
The forest department had recommended Sultanpur and Bhindawas wetlands for the Ramsar tag on February 2, World Wetlands Day. While Sultanpur National Park is spread across 353 acres, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary covers more than 1,000 acres. Both wetlands are natural homes to a wealth of bird species and attract a large number of migratory birds every year, including the black-winged stilt, pond heron, pied kingfisher, purple heron, shoveller, whitebreasted waterhen, whitebreasted kingfisher and prinia.
According to the Ramsar document, “Sultanpur wetland harbours a rich plant and animal life: it supports more than 220 species of resident, winter migratory and local migratory waterbirds at critical stages of their life cycles. More than ten of these are globally threatened, including the critically endangered sociable lapwing.”
Meanwhile, the Bhindawas wetland provides a safe habitat to numerous animals and plants, the document said. A total of 265 species of birds have been reported from the site. More than 30,000 migratory birds belonging to over 250 species visit Bhindawas throughout the year, the document noted.
Haryana is awaiting the notification of the two sites getting the Ramsar tag from the Centre. “We had forwarded all required paperwork to the environment ministry. Subsequently, it sent a proposal to the Ramsar secretariat in Switzerland. All required documentation is complete. We are still awaiting the notification from the ministry, which will most likely be announced on August 15,” said ML Malik, chief conservator of forest (wildlife), south Haryana.
2022 August
Vishwa Mohan , August 15, 2022: The Times of India
From: Vishwa Mohan , August 15, 2022: The Times of India
New Delhi: India’s 11 more wetlands got a tag of international importance under the Ramsar Convention —an inter-governmental global treaty to preserve the ecological character of selected wetlands across the globe — bringing the total number of such sites in the country to 75. The new addition has put India at the top in terms of having the highest number of Ramsar sites among Asian countries, surpassing China’s 64.
The new sites, covering an area of 76,316 hectares, include four in Tamil Nadu (Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary); three in Odisha (Hirakud Reservoir, Tampara Lake and Ansupa Lake); two in Jammu & Kashmir (Shallbugh Wetland and Hygam Wetland; and one each in Madhya Pradesh (Yashwant Sagar) and Maharashtra (Thane Creek).
Hirakud Reservoir with 65,400 hectares is the biggest in the list of 11. Among states, Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of Ramsar sites (14), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10), in the list of 75.
“We became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in 1982. From 1982-2013, only 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites. From 20142022, we added 49 new wetlands to the list,” tweeted environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Saturday, just two days ahead of completion of 75 years of independence.
The wetlands — land areas covered by water, either seasonally or permanently — play a key role in flood control and as sources of water, food, fibre and raw materials. Besides, such land areas also support mangroves that protect coastlines and filter pollutants. Designation of wetlands under the Ramsar Convention would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources. Member countries under the global convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971, identify the sites which can be of significant value for their ecoservices and rich biodiversity. Any kind of encroachment, setting up of industry, expansion of existing industries, solid waste dumping, discharge of untreated wastes and effluents, poaching and any construction of a permanent nature are among the activities which are prohibited within the wetlands.
Bihar. 2024
June 7, 2024: The Times of India
New Delhi: India has added Bihar’s two bird sanctuaries in the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, becoming joint third with China in terms of having 82 such sites in the list, reports Vishwa Mohan.
The number of Indian sites in the list has increased from 26 to 82 in the last ten years, of which 40 have been added in the last three years. The latest two —Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries — were added on World Environment Day Wednesday. Both are man-made reservoirs in Jhajha forest range in Jamui.
Ramsar Convention was adopted in 1971 in Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across its 172-member countries, including India.
Rules
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
New Rules May Expand List Of Legal Activities
Seeking to protect over 2 lakh wetlands across the country , the Centre has come out with rules to identify and manage these ecologically fragile areas which play an important role in flood control, groundwater recharge, preserving plant varieties, supporting migratory birds and protecting coastlines.
The new rules, notified by the environment ministry on Tuesday , decentralise wetlands management by giving states powers to not only identify and notify wetlands within their jurisdictions but also keep a watch on prohibited activities.
It also indirectly widens the ambit of permitted activities by inserting the `wise use' principle, giving powers to state-level wetland authorities to decide what can be allowed in larger interest.
The notification says, “The wetlands shall be conserved and managed in accordance with the principle of `wise use' as determined by the Wetlands Authority .“
Though it lists prohibited activities, the `wise use' principle may invite criticism from environmentalists who had earlier objected to it when the ministry put out the draft rules in public domain in March last year.
Many conservationists had pointed out then that the `wise use' principle would lead to arbitrary decisions on the basis of selective understanding of critical issues around the ecologically fragile areas. The ministry , in its gazette notification, noted that the “suggestions and objections“ received in response to the draft rules were considered in consulta tion with state governments and UT administrations.
The Centre's role under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, will be restricted to monitoring its implementation by statesUTs, recommending trans-boundary wetlands for notification and reviewing integrated management of selected wetlands under the Ramsar Convention -an international arrangement to preserve identified wetlands.
Decentralisation of wetlands management is seen as the ministry's effort to sync environmental policies with the government's ease of doing business norms which are aimed at cutting delays in green clearances for development activities and supporting livelihood issues.
The new rules replace the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, which had a provision for a super body to decide on all activities relating to wetlands.
The new rules make the provision of respective statelevel wetland authorities with the Centre having a limited role through a national wetlands committee, headed by the Union environment secretary as its chairperson.
Status
1990- 2020: wetlands lost
Keshav Agarwal & Sandeep Rai, January 9, 2023: The Times of India
PILIBHIT: The increasingly rapid pace at which wetlands in the country are disappearing has set alarm bells ringing in the conservation circles. Nearly two of every five wetlands in India have lost their natural existence in the last 30 years while 40%of water bodies have lost quality for survival of the aquatic animals, according to estimates by Wetlands International (WI), a not-for-profit global organisation based in the Netherlands, which works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity.
“Najafgarh lake near Delhi and Pallikaranai in Chennai are prominent examples of rapidly drying water sources as these have so far shrunk by over 50% due to massive infrastructural development, expansion of housing plans and exploitation of water without alternative strategy,” said Ritesh Kumar, South Asia head of WI while speaking at an event on wetlands conservation in UP’s Pilibhit.
India presently has around 2.2 lakh big wetlands covering over 2.2 hectares and 5.5 lakh smaller ones. Of these, nearly 60,000 big wetlands are situated inside protected forest areas which could be deemed as safe. Of the remaining, conservation work has been carried out on 150 to 200 water bodies so far and maximum efforts were applied to a few star wetlands like Dal Lake in Srinagar and Harike wetland in Punjab.
Urging that the loss and degradation of wetlands shouldn’t be seen as an esoteric cause, but rather as a development crisis, Kumar said, “There is a need to understand that when a wetland is destroyed, the whole system begins to collapse. A case in point is 2015 Chennai floods. Degeneration of the city’s wetlands due to unplanned development compromised its resilience to floods. Consequently, the auto industry had to be shut down temporarily for 10 days, leading to a loss of Rs 10,000 crore which adversely affected the stock market.”
In addition to urbanisation, lack of knowledge on wetlands and their ecosystem is another reason for the widespread loss. As per experts, awareness and community mobilisation is the right way ahead. “Most wetlands eventually end up being abused as sites of waste disposal. It’s high time that competent agencies reclaim these lands and make the masses aware of their importance while maintaining their originality,” said ornithologist and senior scientist at Bombay Natural History Society, Rajat Bhargava.
When queried about solutions to the current crisis, Kumar said it is essential to secure existing wetlands under provisions of law and impose total prohibition on the alteration of the natural inflow and outflow of water bodies.
At present, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change has notified wetlands (conservation and management) rules, 2017, under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, as the regulatory framework for conservation and management of wetlands in India.
Johads
Are `johads' wetlands?
The Times of India, Aug 03 2016
Are `johads' wetlands: Delhi to Centre
Responding to a National Green Tribunal or der on identifying and notify ing wetlands by all states and UTs, Delhi government has written to the environment ministry to clarify whether “johads“ are wetlands. Most waterbodies in the city's reve nue records are labelled jo hads. After the clarification, the government may consider notifying some johads as “wetlands“, which means they would be conserved and their status or land use cannot be changed.
The notification list will be prepared only once the ownership status of the water r bodies is verified, officials told TOI. As of now, the government has sent a list of five lakes -four under Delhi Development Authority , and one under MCD for notification to MoEFCC. These include Purana Qila lake near the zoo, Bhalswa, Hauz Khas in south Delhi and Naini lake in Model Town.
“Many johads have no water any more. They are differ ent from ponds or lakes, and are not mentioned as wetlands in the rules,“ said SD Singh, the nodal officer for waterbodies.
Johads are mainly check dams built for rainwater harvesting, many of them ancient, officials said.
“On a rough estimate, there are more than 800 water bodies in the city . Some of them are just depressions. But if revived they can recharge ground water levels, stop flooding and revive the entire ecological system of an area,“ added Singh.
The government is also considering a nodal agency for wetlands but the department hasn't been finalized yet. As of now waterbodies are scattered under DDA, MCD, Delhi Jal Board and others. Under the wetland rules 2010, several activities are restricted on wetlands including discharge of effluents, encroachment of the catchment, setting up industries, dumping of solid waste or dredging.
Meanwhile, the high level committee on waterbodies headed by PWD minister Satyendra Jain is planning to take up the revival of ten wetlands this monsoon mainly to ensure they are viable recharge points.
These include two wetlands in Dwarka sector 20 and sector 22, Najafgarh, Mundhela Khurd, Dhansa, Isapur, Malikpur and others.
These will be excavated for better recharge and cleared of solid waste.
Ramsar sites: The complete list
As in 2024 August
Ramsar Sites Information Service
Aghanashini Estuary Designation date: 14-02-2023 4,801 ha
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve Designation date: 10-03-2023 99 ha
Ansupa Lake Designation date: 12-10-2021 231 ha
Asan Conservation Reserve Designation date: 21-07-2020 444 ha
Ashtamudi Wetland Designation date: 19-08-2002 6,140 ha
Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary Designation date: 29-06-2021 2,894 ha
Beas Conservation Reserve Designation date: 26-09-2019 6,429 ha
Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary Designation date: 25-05-2021 412 ha
Bhitarkanika Mangroves Designation date: 19-08-2002 65,000 ha
Bhoj Wetland Designation date: 19-08-2002 3,201 ha
Chandertal Wetland Designation date: 08-11-2005 49 ha
Chilika Lake Designation date: 01-10-1981 116,500 ha
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-11-2021 260 ha
Deepor Beel Designation date: 19-08-2002 4,000 ha
East Calcutta Wetlands Designation date: 19-08-2002 12,500 ha
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve Designation date: 08-04-2022 52,672 ha
Haiderpur Wetland Designation date: 13-04-2021 6,908 ha
Harike Lake Designation date: 23-03-1990 4,100 ha
Hirakud Reservoir Designation date: 12-10-2021 65,400 ha
Hokera Wetland Designation date: 08-11-2005 1,375 ha
Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve Designation date: 08-06-2022 802 ha
Kabartal Wetland Designation date: 21-07-2020 2,620 ha
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-04-2022 97 ha
Kanjli Designation date: 22-01-2002 183 ha
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 24-05-2023 454 ha
Karikili Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-04-2022 58 ha
Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 16-01-2024 5,152 ha
Keoladeo National Park Designation date: 01-10-1981 2,873 ha
Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve Designation date: 26-09-2019 344 ha
Khijadia Wildlife Sanctuary Designation date: 13-04-2021 512 ha
Kolleru Lake Designation date: 19-08-2002 90,100 ha
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-11-2021 72 ha
Loktak Lake Designation date: 23-03-1990 26,600 ha
Lonar Lake Designation date: 22-07-2020 427 ha
Longwood Shola Reserve Forest Designation date: 24-05-2023 116 ha
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve Designation date: 14-02-2023 54 ha
Nagi Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 11-10-2023 206 ha
Nakti Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 11-10-2023 333 ha
Nalsarovar Designation date: 24-09-2012 12,000 ha
Nanda Lake Designation date: 08-06-2022 42 ha
Nandur Madhameshwar Designation date: 21-06-2019 1,437 ha
Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary Designation date: 26-09-2019 116 ha
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 16-01-2024 126 ha
Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 19-09-2019 225 ha
Pala Wetland Designation date: 31-08-2021 1,850 ha
Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest Designation date: 08-04-2022 1,248 ha
Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 02-12-2019 722 ha
Pichavaram Mangrove Designation date: 08-04-2022 1,479 ha
Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 19-08-2002 38,500 ha
Pong Dam Lake Designation date: 19-08-2002 15,662 ha
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 15-02-2022 518 ha
Renuka Wetland Designation date: 08-11-2005 20 ha
Ropar Designation date: 22-01-2002 1,365 ha
Rudrasagar Lake Designation date: 08-11-2005 240 ha
Sakhya Sagar Designation date: 07-01-2022 248 ha
Saman Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 02-12-2019 526 ha
Samaspur Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 03-10-2019 799 ha
Sambhar Lake Designation date: 23-03-1990 24,000 ha
Sandi Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 26-09-2019 309 ha
Sarsai Nawar Jheel Designation date: 19-09-2019 161 ha
Sasthamkotta Lake Designation date: 19-08-2002 373 ha
Satkosia Gorge Designation date: 12-10-2021 98,197 ha
Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve Designation date: 08-06-2022 1,675 ha
Sirpur Wetland Designation date: 07-01-2022 161 ha
Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex Designation date: 08-04-2022 94 ha
Sultanpur National Park Designation date: 25-05-2021 143 ha
Sundarban Wetland Designation date: 30-01-2019 423,000 ha
Sur Sarovar Designation date: 21-08-2020 431 ha
Surinsar-Mansar Lakes Designation date: 08-11-2005 350 ha
Tampara Lake Designation date: 12-10-2021 300 ha
Tawa Reservoir Designation date: 08-01-2024 20,050 ha
Thane Creek Designation date: 13-04-2022 6,521 ha
Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Designation date: 05-04-2021 699 ha
Tso Kar Wetland Complex Designation date: 17-11-2020 9,577 ha
Tsomo Riri Designation date: 19-08-2002 12,000 ha
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-04-2022 44 ha
Upper Ganga River Designation date: 08-11-2005 26,590 ha
Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-04-2022 113 ha
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-04-2022 40 ha
Vellode Bird Sanctuary Designation date: 08-04-2022 77 ha
Vembanad-Kol Wetland Designation date: 19-08-2002 151,250 ha
Vembannur Wetland Complex Designation date: 08-04-2022 20 ha
Wadhvana Wetland Designation date: 05-04-2021 630 ha
Wular Lake Designation date: 23-03-1990 18,900 ha
Yashwant Sagar Designation date: 07-01-2022 823 ha
