News: Two Bihar wetlands—Gokul Jalashay (Buxar) and Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran)—are newly designated Ramsar Sites, raising Bihar’s total to five and India’s tally to 93.
About Gokul Jalashay Ramsar Site
| Location | Buxar district (Bihar) |
| River Associated | It is situated on the southern edge of the Ganga River. |
| Type | It is an oxbow lake spread over 448 hectares. |
| Key features | The wetland supports over 50 bird species and provides food and breeding habitats during the pre-monsoon season when shrubs and marshland are exposed. |
About Udaipur Jheel Ramsar Site
| Location | West Champaran (Bihar) |
| Wildlife Sanctuary | It bordered to the north and west by the dense forest of Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary |
| River Association | The lake is a natural oxbow system formed by the Gandaki River. |
| Type | It is an oxbow lake covering 319 hectares. |
| Key features | The lake is an important wintering ground for around 35 migratory bird species, including the vulnerable common pochard. It also harbours over 280 plant species. It also supports bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks, and Eurasian wigeons. |
Bihar’s Ramsar Status
- Total sites: Five
- Gokul Jalashay (Buxar) – 448 ha;.
- Udaipur Jheel (West Champaran) – 319 ha.
- Kabar Jheel/Kabar Taal (Begusarai) – ~2,620 ha. ( Bihar first Ramsar site)
- Nagi Bird Sanctuary (Jamui) – listed in 2024.
- Nakti Bird Sanctuary (Jamui) – listed in 2024.
- Together, Bihar’s five Ramsar sites protect around 4,500 hectares and contribute significantly to the Central Asian Flyway.
Note: The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) is one of the world’s nine major bird migratory routes, spanning 30 countries across Eurasia, from the Arctic to the Indian Oceans.
