भारत में पांच नए रामसर स्थलों की घोषणा: कुल संख्या 85 हुई
पर्यावरण मंत्रालय ने पारिस्थितिक तंत्र के संरक्षण के लिए देश में पांच और आर्द्रभूमियों को रामसर स्थलों के रूप में नामित किया है।
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- India now has 85 Ramsar sites as of April 2026, following the designation of 5 new wetlands.
- The 5 new Ramsar sites are located in Tamil Nadu (3), Madhya Pradesh (1), and Odisha (1).
- The newly designated sites include Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Suchindrum Theroor Wetland Complex, Vembanoor Wetland Complex, Sakhya Sagar, and Ansupa Lake.
- The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for wetland conservation, was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
- India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982 and currently has 85 designated sites.
- Ramsar site designation promotes international cooperation, funding, and adherence to the 'wise use' principle for wetlands.
- Wetlands are crucial for biodiversity, water security, flood control, and climate change mitigation.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is the nodal agency for Ramsar site designations in India.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 12–20 | Environment and Ecology is a separate section in UPSC Prelims. GS-III includes environment, climate change, and disaster management. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 3–5 | National parks, Ramsar sites, pollution levels, and climate summits appear in SSC GK. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–8 | State PCS papers test both central environment policy and state-specific conservation achievements. |
Key Facts to Remember: भारत में पांच नए रामसर स्थलों की घोषणा: कुल संख्या 85 हुई
- India now has 85 Ramsar sites as of April 2026, following the designation of 5 new wetlands.
- The 5 new Ramsar sites are located in Tamil Nadu (3), Madhya Pradesh (1), and Odisha (1).
- The newly designated sites include Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Suchindrum Theroor Wetland Complex, Vembanoor Wetland Complex, Sakhya Sagar, and Ansupa Lake.
- The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for wetland conservation, was adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
- India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982 and currently has 85 designated sites.
- Ramsar site designation promotes international cooperation, funding, and adherence to the 'wise use' principle for wetlands.
- Wetlands are crucial for biodiversity, water security, flood control, and climate change mitigation.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is the nodal agency for Ramsar site designations in India.
Practice Questions
Q1. As of April 2026, how many Ramsar sites does India have?
- 75
- 80
- 85
- 90
Explanation: In April 2026, the Indian government announced the designation of five new wetlands as Ramsar sites, increasing the total count to 85. This expansion highlights India's commitment to wetland conservation.
Q2. Which of the following states has the highest number of newly designated Ramsar sites in April 2026?
- Madhya Pradesh
- Odisha
- Tamil Nadu
- West Bengal
Explanation: Out of the five newly designated Ramsar sites, three are located in Tamil Nadu: Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Suchindrum Theroor Wetland Complex, and Vembanoor Wetland Complex.
Q3. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international treaty adopted in which year and city?
- 1971, Geneva
- 1975, Paris
- 1971, Ramsar
- 1982, Tehran
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention, dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands, was adopted in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran. India became a signatory to this convention in 1982.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT among the newly designated Ramsar sites in April 2026?
- Sakhya Sagar
- Ansupa Lake
- Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
- Pulicat Lake
Explanation: The five newly designated Ramsar sites are Sakhya Sagar (Madhya Pradesh), Ansupa Lake (Odisha), Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Suchindrum Theroor Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu), and Vembanoor Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu). Pulicat Lake is a significant wetland but was not among the latest designations.
Q5. What is the primary principle emphasized by the Ramsar Convention for the management of wetlands?
- Complete preservation without human intervention
- Maximum commercial exploitation for economic gain
- The 'wise use' principle ensuring sustainable management
- Conversion to agricultural land for food security
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention promotes the 'wise use' principle, which means maintaining the ecological character of wetlands through sustainable management practices. This involves integrating conservation with the socio-economic needs of local communities.
How to Prepare Environment for Government Exams — भारत में पांच नए रामसर स्थलों की घोषणा: कुल संख्य…
Ramsar sites and World Heritage Site additions are announced annually. Compile the year's additions — they are direct exam questions.
For UPSC, understand the international treaty context: Paris Agreement, CBD, CITES, Ramsar — know what each treaty does.
Climate news = policy news. Always note the government response to any environmental event — that's what UPSC Mains tests.
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