Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Wetlands nurture not just Ecosystems but Communities, Culture and Livelihoods: Shri Bhupender Yadav
Wetland Conservation Must Become a People’s Movement: Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh
World Wetlands Day 2026 Celebrated at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary on Theme of Traditional Knowledge
Ramsar sites in India up from 26 in 2014 to 98 at present
Posted On:
02 FEB 2026 6:48PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav on Monday said that wetlands nurture not only ecosystems, but also communities, culture and livelihoods. On the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2026, the Minister, in a post on social media platform 'X', said that water is life and wetlands are the lifelines of the planet.
Shri Yadav said that India has made communities and culture central to its approach to wetland conservation. He noted that under the environmentally conscious leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s Ramsar network has expanded to 98 sites from 26 in 2014.
To mark this year's World Wetlands Day, an event was organised by the Ministry at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary on the theme ‘Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage’. The event focused on the importance of wetlands and the role of traditional knowledge and communities in their conservation.
Addressing the event, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh said that wetlands are not just water resources but also play a crucial role in people’s daily social lives. He said that wetlands are deeply connected with culture, festivals and religious sentiments and were traditionally places where people, including children, would gather and interact.
The Minister expressed happiness over the growing involvement of the younger generation in wetland conservation. He emphasised that the environment cannot be protected only through rules and regulations, and that conservation must become a people’s movement.
Shri Singh, in a post on 'X' earlier, highlighted the ecological and cultural significance of the Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s 98 Ramsar sites of global importance. The Minister said the wetland supports countless native and migratory birds and holds deep personal and cultural value for local communities.
A video teaser on the Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary was also launched during the event. The teaser offers a brief glimpse into the delicate ecological balance of the bird sanctuary in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh and the interconnected web of life it supports.
Delhi Environment Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa said wetlands play a crucial role in daily life, but rapid urbanisation, encroachments and anthropogenic activities have taken a heavy toll on them. He said that the Delhi government has set a target to restore its water bodies within the next two years.
Secretary (EFCC) Shri Tanmay Kumar said environmental protection is not possible without community support. He said that under the leadership of the Union Environment Minister, Wetland Mitras play an important role in conserving wetlands, having a direct impact on the surrounding environment, culture and livelihoods of people. Referring to the increase in the number of Ramsar sites since 2014, Shri Kumar said this reflects growing public awareness about the importance of wetlands and the role of communities in their conservation.
The event kicked off with dignitaries inaugurating an exhibition featuring institutions and organisations working on wetlands, biodiversity and environmental conservation. The programme also included the felicitation of States for newly designated Ramsar Sites.
During the event, the Ministry also released the document Cultural Wonders of Ramsar Sites, which highlights the lesser-known cultural significance of Ramsar Sites and their role in preserving intangible cultural heritage linked to wetlands.
Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 Awards were presented to the National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi; Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata; and Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, in recognition of their exemplary performance during Swachhata Pakhwada 2025.
The Ministers interacted with Wetland Mitras and school children to promote awareness and encourage public participation in wetland conservation. The event concluded with a plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, reinforcing the message of environmental responsibility.
World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February. The day marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands or Ramsar Convention on 2nd February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. India became a signatory to the convention on 1st February 1982. The country now leads Asia in the number of Ramsar sites with 98 wetlands of international importance.
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(Release ID: 2222283)
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