Context :

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced that ‘Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary’ in Uttar Pradesh has been designated as a Ramsar Site.

Importance of Ramsar Status :

• International Recognition: Recognition under the Ramsar Convention gives the wetland global status as a “Wetland of International Importance,” enabling better conservation and management support.
• Sustainable Management: This designation promotes local livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience.
• Eco-tourism: The status is expected to boost eco-tourism in the region.

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary :

• Location: Situated in Koil Tehsil of Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh.
• History: The lake was formed in 1852 after the construction of the Upper Ganges Canal, which passes nearby.
• Significance: It serves as an important stopover for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.
• Biodiversity: Around 249 bird species have been recorded, including 62 wetland-dependent species. Key species include Bar-headed Goose, Painted Stork, and various ducks.
• Category: Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

Ramsar Site :

Wetlands of international importance identified for conservation. The term originates from Ramsar city in Iran, where the treaty was signed.

Ramsar Convention :

Signed on: 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran (World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February).

• Came into force: 1975
• The Ramsar Sites List is maintained by the Convention Secretariat located at the headquarters of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Gland, Switzerland.
• India adopted the convention in 1982.
• First Indian Ramsar Sites: Keoladeo National Park and Chilika Lake (1981).
• Highest number of sites: Tamil Nadu (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (12).
• Largest Ramsar Site in India: Sundarbans (West Bengal).
• Smallest Ramsar Site in India: Renuka (Himachal Pradesh).

Note: Currently, India is the country with the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia and ranks third globally after the United Kingdom and Mexico.

What are Wetlands?

Wetlands are areas that are permanently or seasonally saturated with water, including rivers, lakes, marshes, and coastal zones.

Types:

Freshwater Wetlands

Saltwater Wetlands

Artificial Wetlands

Importance:

• Water conservation and groundwater recharge
• Flood control and coastal protection
• Biodiversity conservation
• Livelihood support for local communities

Global Initiatives for Wetland Conservation :

Montreux Record

• World Wetlands Day (2 February; Theme 2025: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”)

National Initiatives :

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017

• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)
• Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme (launched June 2023)
• National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP), 1985

List of Ramsar Sites in India :

1. Gokul Reservoir – Bihar – September 2025 – 4.48 sq km
2. Udaipur Lake – Bihar – September 2025 – 3.19 sq km
3. Khichan – Rajasthan – June 2025 – 2.92 sq km
4. Menar – Rajasthan – June 2025 – 2828 sq km
5. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – February 2025 – 2.3949 sq km
6. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (TBS) – Tamil Nadu – February 2025 – 0.293 sq km
7. Khecheopalri Lake – Sikkim – February 2025 – 0.0379 sq km
8. Udhwa Lake – Jharkhand – February 2025 – 5.65 sq km
9. Tawa Reservoir – Madhya Pradesh – August 2024 – 200.5 sq km
10. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – August 2024 – 51.51 sq km
11. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – August 2024 – 1.25 sq km
12. Nakti Bird Sanctuary – Bihar – June 2024 – 3.326 sq km
13. Nagi Bird Sanctuary – Bihar – June 2024 – 2.1 sq km
14. Karavetti Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – January 2024 – 4.53 sq km
15. Longwood Shola Reserved Forest – Tamil Nadu – January 2024 – 1.16 sq km
16. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve – Karnataka – January 2024 – 0.5 sq km
17. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve – Karnataka – January 2024 – 0.99 sq km
18. Aghanashini Estuary – Karnataka – January 2024 – 48.01 sq km
19. Tampara Lake – Odisha – August 2022 – 3 sq km
20. Hirakud Reservoir – Odisha – August 2022 – 654 sq km
21. Ansupa Lake – Odisha – August 2022 – 2.31 sq km
22. Yashwant Sagar – Madhya Pradesh – August 2022 – 8.229 sq km
23. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – August 2022 – 2.6047 sq km
24. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex – Tamil Nadu – August 2022 – 0.9423 sq km
25. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – August 2022 – 1.1264 sq km
26. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – August 2022 – 0.9689 sq km
27. Thane Creek – Maharashtra – August 2022 – 65.2108 sq km
28. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve – Jammu & Kashmir – August 2022 – 8.0182 sq km
29. Shelbagh Wetland Conservation Reserve – Jammu & Kashmir – August 2022 – 16.75 sq km
30. Nanda Lake – Goa – June 2022 – 0.42 sq km
31. Karikili Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 0.58 sq km
32. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 12.48 sq km
33. Pichavaram Mangrove Forest – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 14.79 sq km
34. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 527 sq km
35. Vembanur Wetland Complex – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 0.2 sq km
36. Velode Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 0.77 sq km
37. Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 0.44 sq km
38. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – April 2022 – 0.4 sq km
39. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary – Karnataka – February 2022 – 5.18 sq km
40. Sakhya Sagar – Madhya Pradesh – January 2022 – 2.48 sq km
41. Sirpur Wetland – Madhya Pradesh – January 2022 – 1.61 sq km
42. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – November 2021 – 0.72 sq km
43. Satkosia Gorge – Odisha – October 2021 – 982 sq km
44. Pala Wetland – Mizoram – August 2021 – 18.5 sq km
45. Bakhira Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – June 2021 – 28.94 sq km
46. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary – Haryana – 25 May 2021 – 4.11 sq km
47. Sultanpur National Park – Haryana – 25 May 2021 – 1.43 sq km
48. Haiderpur Wetland – Uttar Pradesh – April 2021 – 69.08 sq km
49. Wadhvana Wetland – Gujarat – April 2021 – 6.3 sq km
50. Thol Lake – Gujarat – April 2021 – 6.99 sq km
51. Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary – Gujarat – April 2021 – 5.12 sq km
52. Tso Kar Wetland Complex – Ladakh – November 2020 – 95.77 sq km
53. Sur Sarovar – Uttar Pradesh – August 2020 – 4.31 sq km
54. Asan Conservation Reserve – Uttarakhand – July 2020 – 4.44 sq km
55. Kabartal Wetland – Bihar – July 2020 – 26.2 sq km
56. Lonar Lake – Maharashtra – July 2020 – 4.27 sq km
57. Saman Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – December 2019 – 52.63 sq km
58. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – December 2019 – 7.22 sq km
59. Sarsai Nawar Lake – Uttar Pradesh – September 2019 – 16.13 sq km
60. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – October 2019 – 79.94 sq km
61. Beas Conservation Reserve – Punjab – September 2019 – 64.289 sq km
62. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve – Punjab – September 2019 – 3.439 sq km
63. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary – Punjab – September 2019 – 1.16 sq km
64. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – September 2019 – 2.246 sq km
65. Sandi Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – September 2019 – 30.85 sq km
66. Nandur Madhameshwar – Maharashtra – June 2019 – 14.37 sq km
67. Sundarbans Wetland – West Bengal – January 2019 – 4230 sq km
68. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary – Gujarat – September 2012 – 120 sq km
69. Upper Ganga River – Uttar Pradesh – November 2005 – 265.9 sq km
70. Chandertal Wetland – Himachal Pradesh – November 2005 – 0.49 sq km
71. Hokersar Wetland – Jammu & Kashmir – November 2005 – 13.75 sq km
72. Renuka Wetland – Himachal Pradesh – November 2005 – 0.2 sq km
73. Rudrasagar Lake – Tripura – November 2005 – 2.4 sq km
74. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes – Jammu & Kashmir – November 2005 – 3.5 sq km
75. Ashtamudi Wetland – Kerala – August 2002 – 614 sq km
76. Bhitarkanika Mangroves – Odisha – August 2002 – 650 sq km
77. Bhoj Wetland – Madhya Pradesh – August 2002 – 32.01 sq km
78. Deepor Beel – Assam – August 2002 – 40 sq km
79. East Kolkata Wetlands – West Bengal – August 2002 – 125 sq km
80. Kanjli Wetland – Punjab – January 2002 – 1.83 sq km
81. Kolleru Lake – Andhra Pradesh – August 2002 – 901 sq km
82. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu – August 2002 – 385 sq km
83. Pong Dam Lake – Himachal Pradesh – August 2002 – 156.62 sq km
84. Ropar Wetland – Punjab – January 2002 – 13.65 sq km
85. Tsomoriri – Ladakh – August 2002 – 120 sq km
86. Vembanad-Kol Wetland – Kerala – August 2002 – 1512.5 sq km
87. Sasthamkotta Lake – Kerala – August 2002 – 3.73 sq km
88. Wular Lake – Jammu & Kashmir – March 1990 – 189 sq km
89. Harike Wetland – Punjab – March 1990 – 41 sq km
90. Loktak Lake – Manipur – March 1990 – 266 sq km
91. Sambhar Lake – Rajasthan – March 1990 – 240 sq km
92. Chilika Lake – Odisha – October 1981 – 1165 sq km
93. Keoladeo National Park – Rajasthan – October 1981 – 28.73 sq km
94. Gogabeel Lake – Bihar – November 2025 – 0.8663 sq km
95. Siliserh Lake – Rajasthan – December 2025 – 7 sq km
96. Kopra Reservoir – Chhattisgarh – December 2025 – 7 sq km
97. Patna Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – February 2026 – 1.09 sq km
98. Chhari-Dhand – Gujarat – February 2026 – 227 sq km
99. Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary – Uttar Pradesh – April 2026