Bihar
New Ramsar Sites in Bihar
- 10 Jun 2024
- 2 min read
Why in News?
According to the officials, two of Bihar’s wetlands have been added to the global list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
- This brings the total number of such wetlands in India to 82.
Key Points
- The Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries in Bihar's Jamui district are now part of the Ramsar Convention.
- Both the bird sanctuaries are built on human-made wetlands primarily developed for irrigation through the construction of the Nakti Dam.
- Both sanctuaries were designated as Bird Sanctuaries in 1984 due to their importance as wintering habitats for migratory species.
- This includes one of the largest congregations of red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) and bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) on the Indo-Gangetic plain.
- The catchment area features dry deciduous forests surrounded by hills.
- Flora and Fauna:
- These wetlands provide habitats for over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians.
- They host globally threatened species such as the endangered Indian elephant and the vulnerable native catfish.
- According to the Asiatic Waterbird Census 2023, the Nakti Bird Sanctuary reported 7,844 birds, the highest in the survey, followed by the Nagi Bird Sanctuary with 6,938 birds.
- These sites were declared as Wetlands of International importance on the occasion of World Environment Day on 5th June.
Red-Crested Pochard
- The red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) is a large diving duck.
- Its breeding habitat is lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and it extends from the steppe and semi-desert areas on the Black Sea to Central Asia and Mongolia, wintering in the Indian Subcontinent and Africa.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List- Least Concern
- CITES- Appendix II
