India has added Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, taking the country’s total to 103 Ramsar Sites.

Key Features of the New Ramsar Sites

• Sukhna Wetland, Chandigarh: Located near the foothills of the Outer Himalayas, this peri-urban reservoir helps regulate water and sediment flows. 
  • It provides feeding, breeding and wintering habitats for resident and migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway. 
  • Notable species include the vulnerable common pochard and the endangered Pallas’s fish eagle. 
  • Its management priorities include controlling sediment inflow and invasive plants.
• Sauj Jheel, Uttar Pradesh: This shallow lake lies in the floodplain of the Ganga and is surrounded by agricultural land. 
  • It supports wetland vegetation and regularly hosts more than 30,000 waterbirds. 
  • The vulnerable sarus crane and greater spotted eagle are among its notable species. 
  • Proposed measures include seasonal fishing restrictions and limits on harmful fishing practices.

What is the Ramsar Convention?

• It is an international treaty adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975 for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
  • It is not mandatory for the Government to conserve all wetlands under Ramsar convention.
• It is the only global treaty focusing on a single ecosystem. 
• India has been a signatory since 1982 and currently has 103 Ramsar sites.
• Wetlands designated as Ramsar sites are recognised as Wetlands of International Importance.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaway

Ramsar designation recognises a wetland’s international ecological importance; effective conservation still depends on habitat protection, pollution control and sustainable local practices.

Prelims Practice Question

Q. India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention in:

(a) 1971
(b) 1975
(c) 1982
(d) 1986

Answer: (c) 1982

One-line wrap: The addition of Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel highlights India’s continuing commitment to conserving wetlands and the biodiversity and livelihoods they support.