Ahead of World Wetlands Day, India has expanded its count of Ramsar sites, designated as Wetlands of International Importance, from 75 to 80. The newly added sites include Karnataka’s Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, along with Tamil Nadu’s Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest.
With these additions, the total area covered by Ramsar sites has grown to 1.33 million hectares, marking an increase of 5,523.87 hectares from the previous 1.327 million hectares. Tamil Nadu continues to lead with the maximum number of Ramsar Sites at 16, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 sites.
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, a man-made village irrigation tank, spans 98.76 hectares and is rich in biodiversity, hosting various species of plants, mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, frogs, butterflies, and odonates.
Aghanashini estuary, formed at the confluence of Aghanashini River with the Arabian Sea, provides diverse ecosystem services, including flood and erosion risk mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood support.
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, a 50-hectare human-made wetland constructed for rainwater storage, is a habitat for over 166 bird species, including 130 migratory species, making it one of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose in Southern India.
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, a significant inland wetland in Tamil Nadu, supports groundwater recharge and is crucial for agricultural activities in the region.
The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest wetlands serve as habitats for globally endangered bird species such as the Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin, and vulnerable Nilgiri Wood-pigeon. Fourteen out of 26 endemic bird species of the Western Ghats are found in these wetlands.
India, a signatory to the Ramsar Convention since 1982, celebrates World Wetlands Day on 2 February to commemorate the adoption of the international agreement on wetlands in 1971. In the last decade, India has significantly increased its Ramsar sites from 26 to 80, with 38 additions in the last three years alone.