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Source: The post is based on the article “India Designates 5 New Ramsar Sites” published in PIB on 26th July 2022
What is the News?
India has added five more Ramsar Sites or Wetlands of International Importance. With this, the number of Ramsar Sites in India has increased from 49 to 54.
Which are these five new Ramsar Sites?
Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest: It is a freshwater marsh located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is the only surviving wetland ecosystem of the city and among the few and last remaining natural wetlands of South India.
Karikili Bird Sanctuary: It is located in the Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is about 75 km from Chennai, south of Chengalpattu.
Pichavaram Mangrove: It is located in a village near Chidambaram in the Cuddalore District of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in India with littoral and swamp forest habitats, located between the estuaries of the Vellar and Kollidam rivers. Trees here are permanently rooted under a few feets of water.
Pala wetland: It is the largest natural wetland in Mizoram. The low-lying marshy areas within the wetland provide excellent habitat for the sambar deer, wild boars and barking deer. It’s also a habitat for the endangered Hoolock gibbon and Phayre’s leaf monkey. The wetland is also revered by the local Mara people.
Sakhya Sagar Lake: It is an integral part of the beautiful ecology of the Madhav National Park in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. It was created from the Manier river in 1918.
| Must read: What are Ramsar Sites, and what is the significance of this listing? |
India’s Ramsar Sites
India’s Ramsar sites are spread over 11,000 sq km — around 10% of the total wetland area in the country — across 18 States.
No other South Asian country has as many Ramsar Sites as India.
The National Wetland Inventory and Assessment compiled by the ISRO estimates India’s wetlands to span around 1,52,600 square kilometres which is 4.63% of the total geographical area of the country.
A little over two-fifths are inland natural wetlands and about a quarter are coastal wetlands.
What are the benefits of being designated as a Ramsar Site?
Being designated a Ramsar site does not necessarily invite extra international funds but States — and the Centre — must ensure that these tracts of land are conserved and spared from man-made encroachment.
Acquiring this label also helps with a locale’s tourism potential and its international visibility.
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