World Wetlands Day: India adds 5 sites to Ramsar list

NEW DELHI: Bhupender Yadav, the Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India, announced that India has expanded its count of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 from the existing 75. This was achieved by designating five additional wetlands as Ramsar sites on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024.

Three of these newly designated sites, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, are located in Karnataka, while the remaining two, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, are situated in Tamil Nadu. With the inclusion of these five wetlands in the List of Wetlands of International Importance, the total area covered under Ramsar sites has now reached 1.33 million hectares, reflecting an increase of 5,523.87 hectares from the existing area of 1.327 million hectares. Tamil Nadu retains the highest number of Ramsar sites (16 sites), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites).

Yadav stated, “The emphasis that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed on environmental protection and conservation has brought about a paradigm shift in how India regards its wetlands.” He congratulated Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for their achievement in making it to the list of Ramsar sites.