New Delhi/Mumbai, 27 April 2023

 

India has one of the largest network of Ramsar Sites in Asia. Wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability and overall human well-being. As part of dedicated efforts to preserve ecosystems, India now has 75 Wetlands of International Importance designated as Ramsar sites covering an area of 1.33 million hectres across the country.

From 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar Sites. From 2014 to 2023, the country added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar Sites. During 2022 itself, a total of 28 sites were declared as Ramsar Sites.

Government of India is taking multiple steps for the conservation and management of wetlands across the country to conserve, manage and maintain the ecological character of the wetlands. With such steps, India is making significant progress in promoting sustainable development by integrating its development goals with ambitious climate action goals.

Lonar Lake, Nandur Madhameshwar, Thane Creek from Maharashtra and Nanda Lake from Goa features in the list of Ramsar Sites. Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument, located at Lonar in Buldhana district. Lonar lake is spread over 113 ha area. Nandur Madhmeshwar is located at Niphad Taluka of Nashik District. It is Maharashtra's first Ramsar site. It is a paradise for bird watchers and also called as ‘Bharatpur’ of Maharashtra. It covers an area of 100 sq km Nandur Madhameshwar sanctuary formed in 1986. Thane Creek was formed due to a seismic fault lying below it which runs from Uran to Thane.

Nanda lake is a Ramsar site located in Curchorem, Goa. It covers an area of 0.42 square kilometres.  It is the first and only Ramsar wetland site in Goa.

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