Ahead of World Wetlands Day, Kutch, Etah sites get Ramsar tag, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Gujarat added to Ramsar sites list ahead of World Wetlands Day on February 2.
• India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.
• India's Ramsar network now includes 98 sites.
• Chhari-Dhand is a seasonal saline wetland, an important wintering site for waterfowl, supporting around 30,000 common cranes annually.
• Patna Bird Sanctuary consists of freshwater marshes, woodlands, and grasslands, supporting 178 bird species and 252 plant species.

Detailed Insights:

• Chhari-Dhand, located between the Banni grasslands and salt flats of Kutch, supports species like the critically endangered sociable lapwing and the vulnerable common pochard.
• Patna Bird Sanctuary is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), crucial for supporting waterbird populations due to its diverse habitats.
• The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Iran, designates wetlands meeting specific ecological and biodiversity criteria for special conservation.
• The inclusion of these sites reflects India's commitment to environmental protection and wetland conservation, enhancing its global conservation efforts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ramsar Site: Wetland site designated of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Wetland: Land areas covered by water, either seasonally or permanently.
• Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.