NEW DELHI: India’s three more wetlands – Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh – have got tag of international importance as Ramsar sites, taking the tally of such wetlands in the country to 85.
Calling the addition of three more India’s wetlands in the august list a “triple joy”, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said, “The achievement reflects the emphasis Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid on establishing harmony with nature, calling our wetlands ‘Amrit Dharohars’, and working relentlessly for their conservation.”
The number of Indian sites in the list of Ramsar Convention has increased from 26 to 85 in the last ten years, of which 43 have been added in the last three years.All 85 wetlands put together cover an area of 1358068 hectares in India. Globally, 2520 wetlands are tagged as Ramsar sites.
The wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily/ seasonally or permanently. Such areas play a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials.
The global Convention was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across its 172-member countries including India.
The Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is a large shallow wetland in Uthukuli Taluk of Tiruppur District in Tamil Nadu. It (Nanjarayan Lake) is located about 10 km north of Tiruppur city in an area of about 126 hectares near Sarkar Periyapalayam village in the district. The lake got its name from the fact that it was repaired and restored by King Nanjarayan who ruled the region many centuries ago.
According to the environment ministry, about 191 species of birds, 87 species of butterflies, 7 species of amphibians, 21 species of reptiles, 11 species of small mammals and 77 species of plants have been recorded in and around the lake. The lake also serves as an important water source for agricultural purposes in the region. “The local community has already formed a strong association in protecting the lake and its habitat,” said the ministry.
The Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, covering an area of 5151 hectares, is a brackish shallow lake located on the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district, north of Pondicherry. It is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the brackish Uppukalli creek and the Edayanthittu Estuary. The sanctuary lies in the Central Asian Flyway and is an important stopover site for migratory species of birds and breeding ground for resident species of birds, breeding ground for fish and serves as a major recharge source for the aquifers.
The third newly designated wetland, Tawa Reservoir is located at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers near Itarsi town in Madhya Pradesh. The reservoir was built mainly for irrigation purposes. “The reservoir is important for aquatic flora and fauna especially birds and wild animals. Many rare and endangered species of plants, reptiles and insects are found here. It is an important habitat for many local and migratory birds. It is the largest protected area in the Madhya Pradesh,” said the ministry.
Calling the addition of three more India’s wetlands in the august list a “triple joy”, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav said, “The achievement reflects the emphasis Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid on establishing harmony with nature, calling our wetlands ‘Amrit Dharohars’, and working relentlessly for their conservation.”
The number of Indian sites in the list of Ramsar Convention has increased from 26 to 85 in the last ten years, of which 43 have been added in the last three years.All 85 wetlands put together cover an area of 1358068 hectares in India. Globally, 2520 wetlands are tagged as Ramsar sites.
The wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily/ seasonally or permanently. Such areas play a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials.
The global Convention was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across its 172-member countries including India.
The Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is a large shallow wetland in Uthukuli Taluk of Tiruppur District in Tamil Nadu. It (Nanjarayan Lake) is located about 10 km north of Tiruppur city in an area of about 126 hectares near Sarkar Periyapalayam village in the district. The lake got its name from the fact that it was repaired and restored by King Nanjarayan who ruled the region many centuries ago.
According to the environment ministry, about 191 species of birds, 87 species of butterflies, 7 species of amphibians, 21 species of reptiles, 11 species of small mammals and 77 species of plants have been recorded in and around the lake. The lake also serves as an important water source for agricultural purposes in the region. “The local community has already formed a strong association in protecting the lake and its habitat,” said the ministry.
The Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, covering an area of 5151 hectares, is a brackish shallow lake located on the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district, north of Pondicherry. It is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the brackish Uppukalli creek and the Edayanthittu Estuary. The sanctuary lies in the Central Asian Flyway and is an important stopover site for migratory species of birds and breeding ground for resident species of birds, breeding ground for fish and serves as a major recharge source for the aquifers.
The third newly designated wetland, Tawa Reservoir is located at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers near Itarsi town in Madhya Pradesh. The reservoir was built mainly for irrigation purposes. “The reservoir is important for aquatic flora and fauna especially birds and wild animals. Many rare and endangered species of plants, reptiles and insects are found here. It is an important habitat for many local and migratory birds. It is the largest protected area in the Madhya Pradesh,” said the ministry.