India Adds Five New Wetlands to the List of Ramsar Sites
India has designated five more wetlands as Ramsar sites, bringing the total number of such sites in the country to 85.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- India now has 85 Ramsar sites, the highest in South Asia, after designating five new wetlands.
- The new sites include Nanjarayan Lake (Tamil Nadu) and Thane Creek (Maharashtra).
- Ramsar sites are designated as 'Wetlands of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention.
- The Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971, aims for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
- Wetlands are crucial for biodiversity, flood control, water purification, and carbon sequestration.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change oversees wetland conservation in India.
- Integrated management plans will be implemented for the new sites to prevent encroachment and pollution.
- India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982.
- The National Wetland Conservation Programme, initiated in 1985, supports wetland management.
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: India Adds Five New Wetlands to the List of Ramsar Sites
- India now has 85 Ramsar sites, the highest in South Asia, after designating five new wetlands.
- The new sites include Nanjarayan Lake (Tamil Nadu) and Thane Creek (Maharashtra).
- Ramsar sites are designated as 'Wetlands of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention.
- The Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971, aims for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
- Wetlands are crucial for biodiversity, flood control, water purification, and carbon sequestration.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change oversees wetland conservation in India.
- Integrated management plans will be implemented for the new sites to prevent encroachment and pollution.
- India became a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention on February 1, 1982.
- The National Wetland Conservation Programme, initiated in 1985, supports wetland management.
Practice Questions
Q1. How many Ramsar sites does India have after the recent designation of five new wetlands?
- 80
- 85
- 90
- 75
Explanation: India has designated five new wetlands, bringing its total number of Ramsar sites to 85. This makes India the country with the highest number of Ramsar sites in South Asia.
Q2. Which of the following is NOT among the recently designated new Ramsar sites in India?
- Nanjarayan Lake
- Thane Creek
- Chilika Lake
- Three other unnamed wetlands
Explanation: The recently announced new Ramsar sites include Nanjarayan Lake in Tamil Nadu and Thane Creek in Maharashtra, along with three other unnamed sites. Chilika Lake is a well-known Ramsar site in India but was not among the latest additions.
Q3. What is the primary objective of the Ramsar Convention?
- To protect migratory birds only
- To conserve and promote the wise use of wetlands and their resources
- To regulate international trade in wetland products
- To establish national parks in wetland areas
Explanation: The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
Q4. Which Indian government ministry announced the designation of the five new Ramsar sites?
- Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Ministry of Tourism
Explanation: The announcement regarding the designation of five new wetlands as Ramsar sites was made by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Q5. What is the significance of a wetland being designated as a Ramsar site?
- It guarantees immediate funding for tourism development.
- It signifies the wetland is of 'Wetlands of International Importance' for biodiversity conservation and human well-being.
- It automatically prohibits any human activity within the wetland.
- It means the wetland is only important for scientific research.
Explanation: Designation as a Ramsar site means the wetland is recognized as being of 'Wetlands of International Importance'. This status is crucial for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of its ecosystem components and services.
How to Prepare Environment for Government Exams — India Adds Five New Wetlands to the List of Ramsa…
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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