Nanjarayan and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary & Tawa Reservoir as New Ramsar Sites

• 17 Aug 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the centre declared the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh as three new wetlands as Ramsar Sites.

• With these inclusions, India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites to 85.
• Now, Tamil Nadu harbours a maximum number of Ramsar Sites (18 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites).

What are the Key Facts About Three New Ramsar Sites?

• Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary:
  • It is a large shallow wetland in northeastern Uthukuli Taluk, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu. Centuries ago, it was restored by a local King Nanjarayan.
  • Spanning 125.865 hectares, the lake relies on rainfall from Nallar drainage and also supports agriculture and groundwater recharge.
  • It hosts bird species like Bar-headed Goose, Northern shoveler, Spot-billed Pelican, Heronry.
  • Designated as Tamil Nadu’s 17^th bird sanctuary, it is actively protected and managed by the local community and forest department.
• Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary:
  • It spans over 5151.6 hectares on the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district, north of Pondicherry. 
  • This large brackish lake, connected to the Bay of Bengal via the Uppukalli creek and Edayanthittu Estuary, is a vital wetland with diverse water features like estuarine, creek-fed brackish, and freshwater basins.
  • In areas of brackish water, highly degraded mangrove patches containing Avicennia species are found.
  • Also, in this area, reed (Typhaangustata) is found in several hundred hectares.
• The Tawa Reservoir:
  • It is situated at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers near Itarsi town, was originally built for irrigation and now also supports power generation and aquaculture. 
  • The reservoir lies within the Satpura Tiger Reserve, bordering the Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. 
  • River Malani, Sonbhadra, and Nagdwari are the major tributaries of the Tawa reservoir.
  • The Tawa River, a left-bank tributary, originates in the Mahadeo Hills of Chhindwara district, flows through Betul district, and meets the Narmada River in Narmadapuram district.
    • It is the longest tributary of the Narmada river.
  • The reservoir hosts Spotted deer and Painted Stork.

What is the Ramsar Convention?

• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO, aimed at conserving wetlands of international importance. 
  • In India, it came into force on 1st February 1982, under which wetlands of international importance are declared as Ramsar sites.
• Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. 
  • It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

Read more: Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following statements: (2019)

1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Q. With reference to a conservation organization called ‘Wetlands International’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)

1. It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention.
2. It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (b)

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Mains:

Q. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (2018)