Relevance: GS III (Environment & Biodiversity) | Source: The Hindu / PIB
1. The News: A New Global Tag
The Chhari Dhand Wetland, located in the arid Kutch region of Gujarat, has been officially designated as a Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance).
- Significance: It is the 5th Ramsar site in Gujarat and the first-ever in the unique ecosystem of Kutch.
- Gujarat’s Portfolio: It joins Nalsarovar, Thol, Wadhwana, and Khijadiya in the state’s list of internationally recognized wetlands.
2. Geography & Ecology
- Location: Situated on the edge of the Banni Grasslands, it acts as a buffer between the salty desert and the grasslands. It is a seasonal wetland that gets submerged during monsoons.
- The “Flyway” Hub: It sits on the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), serving as a critical refueling stop for birds migrating from Siberia to the Indian Ocean.
- Key Species: It is famous for hosting over 40,000 Common Cranes and the rare Grey Hypocolius.
3. Legal Status: From ‘Reserve’ to ‘Ramsar’
Before this global recognition, Chhari Dhand was notified as a “Conservation Reserve” in 2008 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Conservation Reserve: This status denotes a protected area that acts as a connector or buffer between established National Parks and sanctuaries. Unlike strict National Parks, these reserves are managed through community consultation, allowing locals to sustain their livelihood.
UPSC Value Box
| Concept / Term | Relevance for Prelims |
| Ramsar Convention (1971) | An intergovernmental treaty signed in Ramsar (Iran) for the conservation and “wise use” of wetlands. |
| Montreux Record | A register of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred due to human interference. Currently, only Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are on this list from India. |
| Banni Grasslands | Asia’s largest tropical grassland, located in Kutch. It is known for its rich biodiversity and the Maldhari pastoralist community. |
Q. Consider the following pairs regarding wetlands in Gujarat:
| Wetland | Key Feature / Region | |
| 1. | Nalsarovar | Largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat |
| 2. | Khijadiya | Freshwater wetland near the coast of Jamnagar |
| 3. | Chhari Dhand | Seasonal wetland in the Banni Grasslands |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (d)
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