Dhanauri Wetland

• 27 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to submit the status of notifying the Dhanauri water body near Jewar airport as a wetland within four weeks.  

 Key Points 

• State Government's Stand: 
  • The Uttar Pradesh’s counsel stated that the government is in the process of notifying Dhanauri as a wetland. 
  • The NGT bench questioned the need for three months to complete the notification process when the site has already been identified for wetland status. 
• The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO): 
  • The DFO of Gautam Buddha Nagar informed the NGT through an affidavit that the proposed Dhanauri wetland spans 112.89 hectares. 
  • The area primarily includes privately owned land located across the villages of Dhanauri Kalan, Thasrana, and Amipur Bangar in the Sadar tehsil of Gautam Buddha Nagar. 
  • The DFO requested three months to consult with landowners and obtain their consent before proceeding with further action. 
• Wetland Notification and Ramsar Site Process: 
  • State governments can notify lakes and water bodies as wetlands for protection. 
  • Ramsar site designation requires approval from the Central Government, based on recommendations by state governments. 
  • Wetlands qualifying under ecological and biodiversity criteria are identified under the international Ramsar Convention treaty of 1971, which ensures special conservation measures. 

 Dhanauri Wetland 

• Location: 
  • Situated in Greater Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Lies close to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Surajpur Wetland. 
  • Positioned within the floodplains of the Yamuna Basin, about 15 km from the River Yamuna. 
• Ecological Significance: 
  • Composed mainly of marshes, the wetland is an essential habitat for the vulnerable Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone). 
  • Hosts a variety of bird species, including: 
    • Common teal 
    • Mallard 
    • Northern pintail 
    • Greylag geese 
    • Bar-headed geese 
    • Woolly-necked stork 
    • Black-necked stork 
    • Painted stork 
    • Eurasian marsh harrier 
• Conservation Status: 
  • Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.