11 INDIAN SITES ON INTERNATIONAL RAMSAR CONSERVATION MAP

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Eleven new wetlands of international importance in the country covering an area of 4,53,686 hectares have been designated as Ramsar sites as an acknowledgement of the country’s efforts for conservation of rich biological diversity. These new Ramsar sites include three in Kerala and one each in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and Assam. Wetland sites are chosen as Ramsar sites based on their uniqueness, biodiversity, socio-cultural and economic importance besides other typical features. With this 19 Indian sites covering 6,48,507 hectares have so far been identified as Ramsar sites which would enable them to benefit from Ramsar toolkits for conservation, exchange of information and conservation practices, technical assistance etc.

The new eleven Ramsar sites in India are : Ashtamudi Wetland (61,400 hectares), Sasthamkotta Lake (373 ha) and Vembanad Wetland (1,51,250 ha) in Kerala, Point Calimer Wildlife and Bird Centaury (38,500 ha) in Tamil Nadu, Kolleru Lake (90,100 ha) in Andhra Pradesh, Bhitarkanika Mangrooves (65,000 ha) in Orissa, Bhoj Wetlands (3,201 ha) in Madhya Pradesh, Pong Dam Lake ( 15,662 ha) in Himachal Pradesh, Tso Moriri Wetland (12,000 ha) in Jammu & Kashmir, East Calcutta Wetlands (12,500 ha) in West Bengal and Deepor Beel Freshwater Lake (4,000 ha) in Assam. These sites were accorded Ramsar recognition at the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Wetlands held at Valencia, Spain late last month.

The distinguishing features of the new Ramsar sites are as follows:

1. Ashtamudi Wetland is the second largest estuarine (at the tidal mouth of river) system in Kerala supporting a number of mangrove species, over 40 associated plant species and 57 bird species including 6 migratory birds. It also hosts 100 species of fish.
2. Sasthamkotta Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala which is springfed and is home to 27 fresh water fish species. A larva called Cavaborus abounds in the water contributing to its exceptional purity.
3. Vembanad Wetland is the largest brackish, humid tropical wetland ecosystem fed by 10 rivers. It supports the third largest waterfowl population of the country during the winter months. 50 species of migratory birds are also found.
4. Point Calimere Wildlife Santuary is a coastal area of shallow water and supports 257 species of birds of which 119 are water birds including the Grey Pelican besides about 30,000 Greater and Lesser Flamingos. This site also serves as the breeding ground or nursery for many commercially important species of fish, prawns and crabs.
5. Kolleru Lake situated between the Godavari and the Krishna river basins provides habitat for a number of residents and migratory birds including the vulnerable Grey Pelican. It also sustains both culture and capture fisheries, agriculture and related occupations of the people in the area.
6. Bhitarkanika Mangroves are one of the finest remaining patches of mangrove forests along the Indian coast. 25 years of continued conservation measures have made the site one of the best known wildlife sanctuaries. The site’s Gahirmatha Beach hosts the largest known Olive Ridley Sea Turtle nesting beach in the world.
7. Bhoj Wetland crated in 11^th century by construction of an earthen dam across the Kolans river is rich in biodiversity including insects, reptiles and amphibians and very rare bird species.
8. Pong Dam Lake located on the trans-Himalayan flyway is important for its hydrological values including monsoon season flood prevention both in the surroundings and the downstreams due to water regulation, ground water recharge, silt trapping and prevention of soil erosion. More than 220 bird species have been identified.
9. Tso Moriri is a fresh water to brackish lake at 4,595 m above the sea level and is the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked Crane and also the only breeding ground for Bar-headed Geese in India.
10. East Calcutta Wetlands is the world’s renowned model of a multiple use wetland. Its resource recovery system, developed by local people through the ages have saved Kolkata from the costs of constructing and maintaining waste water treatment plants. It forms an urban facility for treating the city’s waste water and utilizing the treated water for pisciculture and agriculture. The ponds act as solar reactors and complete most of their biochemical reactions with the help of solar energy. It is described as one of the rare examples of environmental protection and development management where a complex ecological process has been adopted by the local farmers for mastering the resource recovery activities.
11. Deepor Beel sanctuary, a fresh water lake is a staging site on migratory flyways and some of the largest concentrations of aquatic birds in Assam are seen. Some globally threatened birds like Spotbilled Pelican, Lesser and Greater Adjutant Stork and Baerd’s Pochard. It also hosts ornamental fish, medicinal plants, orchids of commercial value etc.

The 8 Indian wetlands earlier identified as Ramsar sites are Chilika Lake in Orissa, Harike Lake Kanjli and Ropar in Punjab, Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, Loktak Lake in Manipur, Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan and Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir.