Why in news
The Environment Ministry said three more wetlands in India had been designated Ramsar sites.
This brings the total number of such sites in India to 85.
Ramsar Convention
It is an intergovernmental treaty, adopted on 2nd February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea.
World Wetlands Day (WWD): 2nd February
In India, it came into force on 1st February 1982, under which wetlands of international importance are declared as Ramsar sites.
Also known as the ‘Convention on Wetlands’
Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest Ramsar site in India
Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the first Ramsar Sites of India in 1981
Currently, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites (18), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
Montreux Record under the Ramsar Convention is a register of wetlands where ecological changes have occurred or are expected due to human activities.
It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the first Ramsar Sites of India in 1981
Currently, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites (18), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10).
India’s Ramsar wetlands make up around 10% of the total wetland area in the country across 18 States.
No other South Asian country has as many sites though this has much to do with India’s geographical breadth and tropical diversity.
The United Kingdom (175) and Mexico (142) have the most Ramsar sites, whereas Bolivia spans the largest area, with 1,48,000 sq. km under the convention’s protection.
Being designated a Ramsar site does not necessarily invite extra international funds,
But the Centre and States must ensure these tracts of land are conserved and saved from man-made encroachment
Montreux Record under the Ramsar Convention is a register of wetlands where ecological changes have occurred or are expected due to human activities.
It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
Significance
Assist in Fighting Against Climate Change
Sequester Carbon
Significance of Peatlands: The term ‘peatland’ refers to the peat soil and the wetland habitats growing on the surface.
They account for just 3% of the world’s land surface but store twice as much carbon as forests,
Paradise for Migratory Birds
Cultural and Tourism Importance
Criteria for site
There are nine Criteria: One of the nine criteria must be fulfilled to be the Ramsar Site.
Criterion 1: If it contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.
Criterion 2: If it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
Criterion 3: If it supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.
Criterion 4: If it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.
Criterion 5: If it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.
Criterion 6: If it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.
Criterion 7: If it supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland benefits
Criterion 8: If it is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend.
Criterion 9: If it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent non avian animal species
Recently added sites
The 3 new sites are
Nanjarayan and Kazhuveli bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu
Tawa reservoir in Madhya Pradesh
Ruddy Shelducks
The ruddy shelduck, scientifically known as Tadorna ferruginea, is a member of the Anatidae family.
In India, it's commonly referred to as the Brahminy duck.
It boasts an orange-brown body plumage, a paler head, and black tail and flight feathers.
The white wing-coverts contrast with the black flight feathers.
The ruddy shelduck primarily dwells in inland water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers
It's a migratory species, breeding in southeastern Europe and Central Asia and wintering in the Indian subcontinent.
There are small resident populations in North Africa.
The ruddy shelduck is mainly nocturnal.
It feeds on grasses, plant shoots, grains, water plants, and various invertebrates.
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
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