India Adds Two New Ramsar Sites, Total Reaches 96

Why in News

• India has added Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Jalashay (Chhattisgarh) to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List), taking the country’s total Ramsar Sites to 96.

Siliserh Lake, Rajasthan

• A human-made lake located within the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve.
• Lies in a semi-arid region, serving as a crucial water source for local biodiversity.
• Supports 149 bird species and 17 mammal species.
• Notable fauna include:
  • Vulnerable River Tern (Sterna aurantia)
  • Endangered Tiger (Panthera tigris)
• Also supports more than 1% of the biogeographic population of Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), a key Ramsar criterion.

Kopra Jalashay, Chhattisgarh

• A reservoir located in the upper catchments of the River Mahanadi.
• Originally constructed for irrigation, now an ecologically significant wetland.
• Surrounded largely by farmland and villages.
• Features extensive open water and shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters.
• Strong hydrological and ecological connectivity, supporting diverse habitats.
• Provides habitat for over 60 migratory bird species used for nesting, feeding, and stop-over.
• Key species include:
  • Vulnerable Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)
  • Endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

About the Ramsar Convention

• Formally known as the Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 at Ramsar (Iran).
• Each Contracting Party commits to designate at least one wetland of international importance.
• Currently, there are over 2,500 Ramsar Sites across 160+ countries worldwide.

Source: Ramsar