India adds 10 more wetlands designated as Ramsar sites to make total 64 sites

Source: The post is based on the article “India adds 10 more wetlands designated as Ramsar sites to make a total 64 sites” published in PIB on 3rd August 2022.

What is the News?

India has added 10 more wetlands designated as Ramsar sites to make a total 64 sites.

The 10 new sites include Six (6) sites in Tamil Nadu and One (1) each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Designation of these sites would help in the conservation and management of wetlands and the wise use of their resources.

Which are these 10 new Ramsar Sites?

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary (Tamilnadu): It is a man-made wetland. It is the largest reserve for breeding resident and migratory water birds in South India. It is also an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area forming part of the Central Asian Flyway.  

Satkosia Gorge (Odisha): Satkosia spreads along the magnificent gorge over the mighty river Mahanadi in Odisha. It was established in 1976 as a wildlife sanctuary. Satkosia is also the meeting point of two biogeographic regions of India; the Deccan Peninsula and the Eastern Ghats, contributing to immense biodiversity.  

Nanda Lake (Goa): The majority of the lake is intermittent freshwater marshes that lie adjacent to one of the major rivulets of the Zuari River. This enables the locals to store the water during the off-monsoon season. 

Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu): It is located on the southeastern coastline of India and is a unique marine environment rich in biodiversity. This is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South & South -East Asia.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (Karnataka): It has been enlisted as one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Karnataka and India by the Bombay Natural History Society. 

Vembannur Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu): It is a human-made inland tank. The tank is believed to have been constructed in the regime of Pandyan king Veeranarayana. The wetland forms the southernmost tip of peninsular India. This wetland is also an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area(IBA).

Vellode Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): It is provincially known as Periyakulam Yeri. It forms part of the Central Asian Flyway.

Sirpur Wetland (Madhya Pradesh): It is a historical wetland situated in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. It is not only important for its aesthetic value, but it provides immense ecological services such as being an important source of water. Presently, the wetland is being developed as a bird sanctuary and ecological learning center. 

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): It is comprised of freshwater water and is also one of the oldest bird-protected areas. It belongs to the Coromandel Coast biotic province. This site is also recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area(IBA).

Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): It is one of the important bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu. The site is an important staging and breeding ground for several species of waterbirds. The notable species observed at the site are oriental darter, glossy ibis, grey Heron & Eurasian spoonbill. This site stores floodwaters during monsoon overflow and maintains surface water flow during drier periods.