Current Affairs Date: 26 June 2024

⇒ India has increased the number of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) from the existing 75 to 80 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites on the evening of World Wetlands Day 2024.

Five newly designated Ramsar sites:

3 Sites located in Karnataka:

1. 1. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
   2. Aghanashini Estuary
   3. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve

2 Sites located in Tamil Nadu:

1. 4. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
   5. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest

Key Points:

• • With the addition of these five wetlands to List of Wetlands of International Importance, the total area covered under Ramsar sites is now 1.33 million ha which is an increase of 5,523.87 ha from existing area (of 1.327 million ha).
  • Tamil Nadu continues to have maximum number of Ramsar Sites (16 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites).

» India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India ratified this Convention on 1st February 1982.

• • Due to a significant policy push from the Government of India, the number of Ramsar sites has increased from 26 to 80 in the last ten years, of which 38 have been added in the last three years alone.

About Amrit Dharohar initiative:

• • Amrit Dharohar initiative, part of the 2023-24 budget announcement, was launched by MoEF&CC during June 2023 to promote unique conservation values of the Ramsar Sites in the country while generating employment opportunities and supporting local livelihoods.
  • This initiative is to be implemented over three years in convergence with various Central Government ministries and agencies, State Wetland Authorities, and a network of formal and informal institutions and individuals, working together for a common cause.

About New Ramsar Sites:

Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (98.76 ha):

» Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve is a humanmade Village Irrigation Tank built centuries back and is spread over an area of 98.76ha (244.04 acre) adjoining the Ankasamudra village.

• • It is an ecologically important wetland, rich in biodiversity, comprising over 210 species of plants, 8 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, 240 species of birds, 41 species of fishes, 3 species of frogs, 27 species of butterflies and 32 species of odonates.
  • Over 30’000 waterbirds nest and roost at this wetland, which also supports more than 1% of the biogeographic population of Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) and Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus).

Aghanashini Estuary (4801 ha):

» Aghanashini Estuary, spread over an area of 4801 ha, is formed at the confluence of Aghanashini River with the Arabian sea.

• • The brackish water of the Estuary provides diverse ecosystem services including flood and erosion risk mitigation, biodiversity conservation and livelihood support.
  • The wetland also provides livelihoods to 6000-7500 families by supporting fishing, agriculture, collection of edible bivalves and crabs, shrimp aquaculture, traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice fields (locally known as Gazni rice fields), bivalve shell collection and salt production.
  • Additionally, the mangroves bordering the estuary help to protect the shores against storms and cyclones.
  • The estuary regularly supports over 43,000 counts of over 66 waterbird species and over 1% of the biogeographic population of 15 waterbird species (which includes river tern, oriental darter, lesser black-backed gull, woolly- necked stork, Eurasian oystercatcher and others).

Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (54.38 ha)

» Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve is a human-made wetland with an area of nearly 50 hectares which was constructed to store rainwater for irrigation purposes.

• • It is home to over 166 species of birds, of which 130 are migratory.
  • The wetland harbours two vulnerable species, namely Common pochard (Aythya ferina) and River tern (Sterna aurantia) and four near-threatened species, namely Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), Woolly- necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) and Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala).
  • Nearly 8,000 birds visit the site during winter. Magadi Kere is also one of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) in Southern India.
  • The wetland is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) and also listed as a priority area for conservation in India.

Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (453.72 ha):

» Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary spanning 453.72 ha is one of the largest inland wetlands of Tamil Nadu, and is a significant source of groundwater recharge for the area.

• • Water from the wetland is utilized by the villagers for cultivating agricultural crops such as paddy, sugar cane, cotton, corn, and split red gram.
  • Karaivetti has one of the largest congregations of waterbirds in the State of Tamil Nadu.
  • About 198 species of birds have been recorded here; some of the important visitors being the Bar headed Goose, Pin-tailed duck, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Common teal and Cotton teal.

Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (116.007 ha):

» The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest derives its name from the Tamil word, “Solai”, which means a ‘tropical rain forest’.

• • The ‘Sholas’ are found in the upper reaches of the Nilgiris, Anamalais, Palni hills, Kalakadu, Mundanthurai and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
  • These forested wetlands serve as habitats for the globally endangered Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush (Strophocincla cachinnans), Nilgiri Blue Robin (Myiomela major), and vulnerable Nilgiri Wood-pigeon (Columba elphinstonii).
  • As many as 14 out of 26 endemic birds’ species of the Western Ghats are found in these wetlands.