Bihar

• 10 Jun 2024

New Ramsar Sites in Bihar

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