India designates several new Ramsar Sites in 2022

India has designated several new wetlands of international importance in 2022:

Tamil Nadu 

• Karikili Bird Sanctuary 
• Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest 
• Pichavaram Mangrove 
• Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve 
• Vembannur Wetland Complex 
• Vellode Bird Sanctuary 
• Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary 
• Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary 

Madhya Pradesh 

• Sakhya Sagar  

Sirpur Wetland Karnataka 

• Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary 

Goa 

• Nanda Lake

As of August 6, 2022, there are 64 Ramsar sites in the country. India has the highest number of Ramsar sites among the South Asian nations. India is aiming at getting a Ramsar tag for 75 of its wetlands on the 75th year of independence, according to officials. The Ramsar wetlands in India currently sprawl over 1250361 ha.

The Karikili Bird Sanctuary is situated in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu and is well-known for cormorants, egrets, grey heron, darter, spoonbill, grey pelican, white ilbis and night heron. 

The Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest is one of the last remaining natural wetlands of Chennai located adjacent to the Bay of Bengal. It plays a crucial role in preventing flooding in south Chennai, as well as in the nearby Chengalpattu district.

The Pichavaram Mangrove is the second largest mangrove forest in the world covering about 1,100 hectare of area. It is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandbar. It is the habitat of several threatened species such as Olive Ridley turtles and the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper. 

The Sakhya Sagar wetland in Madhya Pradesh, spread across 250 hectares, is a man-made reservoir which was already part of the Madhav National Park, located in the northern district of Shivpuri. The Pala wetland in Mizoram, spans 1850 hectares and is the largest natural wetland in the state. The wetland has special cultural importance among the local Mara people in the area as well.

Identifying wetlands as Ramsar sites is important because this could bring about more targeted conservation action to save these important natural ecosystems.

Being designated as a Ramsar site makes a huge difference in a wetland’s management and protection. It brings in more focused conservation action and more funds for these activities. And most importantly, local communities begin to understand its importance.