India Adds Two New Ramsar Wetlands: Patna Bird Sanctuary & Chhari-Dhand

India Adds Two New Ramsar Wetlands: Patna Bird Sanctuary & Chhari-Dhand

 What is the News?

India has added two wetlands to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, highlighting the country’s commitment to environmental conservation and the need for thorough environmental impact assessments:

  • Patna Bird Sanctuary
  • Chhari-Dhand

 With this addition, India’s total Ramsar sites increase to 98, reinforcing the nation’s dedication to maintaining a pollution-free environment.

Ramsar Convention – Key Facts

  • Adopted in 1971 at Ramsar (Iran)
  • India became a party in 1982
  • Objective: Conservation and wise use of wetlands
  • Focus on wetlands important for migratory birds and biodiversity
  • Ramsar tag does not imply a complete ban on human activities, but requires environmental clearance for certain activities

Site-wise Exam Pointers

Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh)

  • Location: Etah district
  • Type: Freshwater wetland
  • Area: ~109 hectares
  • Importance: Winter habitat for migratory waterbirds
  • 11th Ramsar site of Uttar Pradesh
  • Requires environmental impact assessment for any development projects nearby

Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat)

  • Location: Kutch district, near Banni grasslands
  • Type: Seasonal saline wetland
  • Area: ~227 sq km
  • Biodiversity: Over 250 bird species
  • 5th Ramsar site of Gujarat, part of the Central Asian Flyway
  • Falls under coastal regulation zone guidelines, necessitating special environmental clearances

 Why This Matters (Prelims Angle)

  • Strengthens wetland conservation and environmental jurisprudence
  • Protects migratory bird habitats
  • Supports groundwater recharge, flood moderation
  • Promotes environmental democracy through community involvement in conservation
  • Applies polluter pays principle and precautionary principle in wetland management
  • High potential for match-the-following & assertion–reason questions

 One-Line Revision

Patna Bird Sanctuary – freshwater Ramsar site in UP | Chhari-Dhand – saline Ramsar wetland in Gujarat’s coastal regulation zone | India: 98 Ramsar sites, all contributing to a pollution-free environment