Ramsar Sites – Part 2
List of Ramsar Sites in India
A-G
Andhra Pradesh:
Kolleru Lake:
- It is the largest shallow freshwater lake in Asia.
- The lake is a habitat for around 20 million resident and migratory birds, including the grey or spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis).
- It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1999 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and designated a wetland of international importance in 2002 under the Ramsar Convention.
Assam:
Deepor Beel:
- It was designated a wetland of international importance in 2002 under the Ramsar Convention.
- A beel is a billabong or a lake-like wetland with static water instead of flowing water.
- It is categorised as representative of the wetland type under the Burma monsoon forest biogeographic region.
Bihar:
Kabar Taal Lake:
- Kabar Taal Lake is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake, it was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2020 and thus became the first Ramsar site in Bihar.
- It was formed due to meandering of Burhi Gandak river, a tributary of Ganga, in the geological past.
- The Wetland is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory waterbirds species using it to rest.
Goa:
Nanda lake:
- It is the first and only Ramsar wetland site in Goa and was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.
Gujrat:
Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary:
- The sanctuary is unique having both fresh water lakes, salt and freshwater marshlands.
- About 300 species of migratory birds have been found here.
- It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2022.
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary:
- It is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India.
- The lake attracts over 210 species of birds in the winter and hosts a variety of plants and animals.
- It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2012.
Thol Lake:
- It is an artificial lake constructed as an irrigation tank in 1912.
- The two most prominent species of birds recorded in the sanctuary are flamingoes and sarus crane.
- It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.
Wadhvana wetland:
- It was formed as a result of a reservoir created due to an irrigation dam in 1910.
- The Wadhvana Wetland is considered internationally important as it provides a wintering ground to migratory water birds that migrate on the Central Asian Flyway.
- It was declared as a wetland of international importance in 2021.