India’s Latest RAMSAR Sites You Need to Keep An Eye Out For

by Rajshri Ravichandran

Ramsar Sites constitute wetlands of worldwide significance that have been recognised according to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for their significance in preserving biodiversity or for possessing important, uncommon, or unusual wetland varieties.

Source: UPSC Colorfull notes

The total of Ramsar sites across India has now increased to a total of 75 owing to the addition of 11 additional wetlands to the database recently. Tamil Nadu has four locations, Odisha has three, Jammu & Kashmir has two, Madhya Pradesh has one, and Maharashtra has one. The classification of these areas would aid in the administration, conservation, and efficient use of wetlands.

To survive the brutal winters in their nesting sites, dozens of bird species from Central Asia and Russia relocate to warmer tropical territories, especially India and the tropical regions. In accordance with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), which spans 30 nations, protects at least 279 populations of 182 migratory waterbird species, which include 29 species that are attacked or near danger to extinction worldwide and that breed, relocate, and spend the winter in the area. During the wintertime, these migratory birds use the wetlands of India as feeding and resting areas.

Source: The Indian Express

The Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, and Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary are the latest Indian wetlands in Tamil Nadu that are of worldwide importance. The combined amount of these wetlands of worldwide importance in Tamil Nadu has become 14, surpassing Uttar Pradesh’s aggregate of ten such regions.

Source: The New Indian Express

Winter migrating birds thrive in the Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary. A total of 50 birds from 30 different families have been recorded at the location.

The Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary is a huge irrigation tank that was constructed by humans to serve as a refuge for migratory birds since this offers a good habitat for nutrition, housing, and nesting grounds. The majority of the tanks studied contained Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii. In tanks, there were high densities of wintering waterfowl such Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, and Garganey Anas querquedula.

The Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary is well-known for being a place where a variety of migratory heron species lay their eggs. These herons nest in the tall babul trees that are prevalent there. Between October and February, migrating waterbirds that nest in this area include the painted stork, white ibis, black ibis, tiny egret, and great egret. Since the endangered Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis breeds there, the region serves as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).