Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel Designated as Ramsar Sites

#Environment #Current Events #GS-3 #Conservation #Biodiversity

Key takeaways

India's total count of Ramsar sites has reached 103 following the addition of two new wetlands.
Sukhna Wetland was created in 1958 to regulate water flow and sediment from the Shivalik Hills.
Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) that supports over 30,000 waterbirds.
Both sites are critical for migratory species, including the Vulnerable Sarus Crane and the Endangered Pallas's Fish Eagle.

India now has 103 designated Ramsar sites in total.
The government recently added the Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh to this list of internationally important wetlands.

This man-made reservoir sits at the foothills of the Outer Himalayas or Shivalik Hills in Chandigarh.
Officials created it in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe stream to control sediment and runoff.
It acts as a crucial stopover for migratory birds using the Central Asian Flyway during winter.
The area supports several threatened species, such as the Vulnerable Common Pochard, the Endangered Pallas's Fish Eagle, and the Endangered Black Pond Turtle.
Conservation efforts here focus on managing soil erosion, reducing silt inflow from the catchment, and removing invasive aquatic plants.

This shallow, perennial lake is located in the Ganga River floodplain within the Mainpuri district of Uttar Pradesh.
It is recognized globally as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
The lake regularly hosts over 30,000 waterbirds, providing them with essential space for feeding and breeding.
It serves as a habitat for vulnerable species like the Sarus Crane and the Greater Spotted Eagle.
The site features rich vegetation including the Sacred Lotus and Wild Sugarcane.
Management plans include banning fishing during breeding seasons, stopping the use of fine-mesh nets, and controlling cattle grazing near the water.

A wetland qualifies if it represents a rare or natural example of a wetland type within its region.
It can be listed if it provides a home to vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species.
Designation is granted if a site supports significant biological diversity important for its biogeographic region.
Sites that provide essential habitats for species during critical life cycles, such as breeding or migration, are eligible.
A wetland qualifies if it consistently supports at least 20,000 waterbirds.
It also qualifies if it hosts at least 1% of the population of a specific waterbird species.
Wetlands supporting indigenous fish diversity or providing important spawning and migration habitats meet the criteria.
Other sites are recognized for supporting large populations of various wetland-dependent animal species.