Saturday, 15 Feb, 2025
IndiaTracker.in
Climate Change 27-Jan, 2025

These 2 Indian cities are the first to join the global list of Wetland Accredited Cities

By: Team India Tracker

These 2 Indian cities are the first to join the global list of Wetland Accredited Cities

Image Source: IANS

Udaipur and Indore have joined the select 31 cities across the globe that have been acknowledged for incorporating wetland conservation into their urban plans

Madhya Pradesh’s Indore and Rajasthan’s Udaipur have become India’s first two cities to receive international accreditation as ‘Wetland Cities’ under the Ramsar convention. Indore and Udaipur have received compliments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being included in the world's list of 31 Wetland Accredited Cities. He underlined that this accomplishment demonstrates India's commitment to sustainable development and striking a balance between urbanization and the environment. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international agreement devoted to the preservation and sustainable use of wetlands, is the basis for the recognition.

In terms of urban environmental conservation, this is a significant advancement for India. Udaipur and Indore have joined the select 31 cities across the globe that have been acknowledged for incorporating wetland conservation into their urban plans. Three Indian cities—Indore, Udaipur, and Bhopal were nominated for the Wetland City Accreditation by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. The success of Indore and Udaipur shows how important wetlands are to urban ecosystems, even though Bhopal was not chosen.

India has made great strides in safeguarding its wetlands since ratifying the Ramsar Convention in 1982. Twenty-six wetlands were designated Ramsar sites between 1982 and 2013. A greater emphasis on wetland preservation is shown in the 59 more sites the nation added after 2014. With 18 Ramsar sites, Tamil Nadu is in first place, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.

State 

Designated wetland sites

Andhra Pradesh (1)

- Kolleru Lake

Tamil Nadu (18)

- Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vembanur Wetland Complex, Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pichavaram Mangrove, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Point Calimere Wildlife Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Sanctuary and Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary. 

Kerala (3)

- Vembanad Kol Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake, Ashtamudi Wetland

Karnataka (4)

- Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ranganathittu BS, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve

Maharashtra (3)

- Nandur Madhameshwar, Lonar Lake, Thane Creek

Goa (1)

- Nanda Lake

Gujarat (4)

- Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Vadhvana Wetland, Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary

Rajasthan (2)

- Sambhar Lake, Keoladeo National Park

Uttar Pradesh (10)

- Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Haiderpur Wetland, Upper-Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch), Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Sur Sarovar, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Saman Bird Sanctuary, Paravai Agra Bird Sanctuary, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Haryana (2)

- Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Madhya Pradesh (5)

- Yashwant Sagar, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Wetland, Bhoj Wetland, Tawa Reservoir

Bihar (3)

- Kanwar Lake or Kabartl Wetland, Nagi Bird Sanctuary and Nakti Bird Sanctuary

Odisha (6)

- Ansupa Lake, Hirakud Reservoir, Tampara Lake, Chilka Lake, Satkosia Gorge, Bhitarkanika Mangrove

West Bengal (2)

- East Kolkata Wetlands, Sunderban Wetland

Punjab (6)

- Harike Lake, Beas Conservation Reserve, Kanjli Lake, Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Ropar Wetland

Himachal Pradesh (3)

- Chandra Taal, Pong Dam Lake, Renuka lake

Jammu and Kashmir (5)

- Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, Hokera Wetland, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Wular Lake

UT of Ladakh (2) 

- Tso Kar Wetland Complex, Tsomoriri Lake

Uttrakhand (1)

- Asan Conservation Reserve

Mizoram (1)

- Pala Wetland

Manipur (1)

- Loktak Lake

Assam (1) 

- Deepor Beel

Tripura (1)

- Rudrasagar Lake

Source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

India recently added 3 new Ramsar sites to its list of Ramsar sites, taking the total tally of Ramsar wetlands to 85 (December 2024). The three new Ramsar sites are- Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Kazhuveli Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) and Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh). Originally an irrigation reservoir, Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, which is situated on the banks of the Noyyal River, has evolved into a vital ecosystem.  Along the Central Asian Flyway, it draws migratory birds and is home to a variety of bird species, including herons, spot-billed ducks, and Eurasian coots. Through fishing, the wetland sustains local livelihoods and biodiversity.

One of the biggest brackish water wetlands in South India is Kazhuveli Sanctuary, which is located on the Coromandel Coast. Its combination of shallow seas, mudflats, and salt marshes is home to endangered species including the greater flamingo and black-headed ibis. Along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, it acts as a migratory stop and contributes to groundwater recharge and flood control. A major wintering site for migrating birds, Tawa Reservoir was created by damming the Tawa River. The reservoir plays a vital role in regional water management by supporting local fisheries and providing drinking and irrigation water.

Source: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

In 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar, the Ramsar Convention on wetlands  was signed. In order to safeguard wetlands and their resources, the various nations and non-governmental organizations began negotiating the convention in the 1960s. In 1975, it was finally put into effect. In order to contribute to global sustainable development, the Ramsar Convention was established in 1975 with the goal of conserving and responsibly using all wetlands through national and local initiatives as well as international collaboration. 

All six Ramsar regions contain interior and marine wetlands of various kinds, making the Ramsar Sites network genuinely worldwide. In 1974, the Cobourg Peninsula in Australia was named as the first site in history. The largest sites are Queen Maud Gulf in Canada and Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mexico and the United Kingdom have the most sites—144 and 176, respectively.

Share: