Context:

Recently, the Indian government added three new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites.

More on the News:

• The newly recognized sites include the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh. 
• These additions bring India's total number of Ramsar sites to 85, covering a vast area of 1,358,068 hectares.

About the New Ramsar Sites

1.Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu:

• Location: Uthukuli Taluk, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.
• Size: 125.865 hectares.
• Biodiversity: Home to 191 bird species, 87 butterfly species, seven amphibians, 21 reptiles, 11 small mammals, and 77 plant species.
• Ecological Role: Provides a crucial habitat for resident and migratory birds, supports agriculture and aids in groundwater recharge.

What is the Ramsar Convention?

• The Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty, adopted in Ramsar, Iran in 1971 and effective from 1975, provides the framework for wetland conservation and and wise use of their resources.
• India became a member of this convention in 1981.
• The Ramsar Convention Secretariat, based at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.
• Tamil Nadu currently has the most Ramsar sites in India with 18, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.

• Significance: Declared Tamil Nadu’s 17th bird sanctuary, the lake is actively protected by local communities in collaboration with the forest department.

2.Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu:

• Location: Coromandel Coast, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.
• Size: 5151.6 hectares.
• Biodiversity: A key stopover for migratory birds and a breeding ground for resident bird species and fish. Also features degraded mangrove patches with Avicennia species and reed-covered areas.
• Ecological Role: Supports aquifer recharge and harbors a rich diversity of species.
• Significance: Tamil Nadu’s 16th bird sanctuary, Kazhuveli is among the largest brackish water wetlands in peninsular India.

3. Tawa Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh:

• Location: Near Itarsi town, at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers.
• Size: 20,050 hectares.
• Biodiversity: Part of the Satpura Tiger Reserve, it is home to rare and endangered species, including various birds, reptiles, and plants.
• Ecological Role: Initially built for irrigation, the reservoir now supports power generation and aquaculture.
• Significance: Forms the western boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a critical habitat within the region.

What is a Wetland? 

A wetland is an area of marsh, fen, peatland, or water—whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary—with water that can be static or flowing, fresh, brackish, or salty, including marine areas where the depth at low tide does not exceed six meters.

In India, river channels, paddy fields, and artificial water bodies built for drinking or commercial purposes are not considered for Ramsar's listing.

Importance of Wetlands

• Wetlands are indispensable due to the numerous benefits, or "ecosystem services," they provide. 
• These include supplying freshwater, supporting agriculture, offering habitats for diverse species, controlling floods, recharging groundwater, and mitigating climate change. 
• Despite their importance, wetlands face significant threats from urbanization and overuse, leading to their degradation and the loss of biodiversity.