Why in News
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh has been designated as a Ramsar site — making it India’s 99th Ramsar wetland. The freshwater monsoonal wetland is critical habitat for resident and migratory birds and represents India’s continued commitment to wetland conservation under international frameworks.
The Ramsar Convention — Basics
What Is the Ramsar Convention?
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (commonly called the Ramsar Convention) is an intergovernmental treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and entered into force in 1975.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat |
| Signed | February 2, 1971 (Ramsar, Iran) |
| In force | December 21, 1975 |
| Secretariat | Gland, Switzerland |
| World Wetlands Day | February 2 (anniversary of Ramsar signing) |
| Contracting parties | 172 countries |
| Total Ramsar sites globally | 2,400+ |
What Qualifies as a Ramsar Site?
A wetland qualifies if it meets any one of the nine Ramsar criteria, including:
- Supports rare, vulnerable, or endangered species
- Regularly supports 20,000+ waterbirds
- Regularly supports 1%+ of the population of a waterbird species
- Provides fish spawning grounds or nursery habitat
India’s Ramsar Journey
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1971 | Ramsar Convention signed |
| 1982 | India joined Ramsar as a contracting party |
| 1981 | First Indian Ramsar site: Chilika Lake (Odisha) + Keoladeo Ghana (Rajasthan) |
| 2022 | India added 19 new Ramsar sites in a single year (highest in one year) |
| 2026 | Shekha Jheel designated as India’s 99th Ramsar site |
India’s Status:
- Total Ramsar sites: 99
- Total Ramsar area: ~13.26 lakh hectares
- Countries with most Ramsar sites: UK (175+), Mexico (~142), Spain (~76), India (99)
States with Most Ramsar Sites
| State | Number of Ramsar Sites |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 20 (most in any state) |
| Uttar Pradesh | 12 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 9 |
| Gujarat | 7 |
| Odisha | 6 |
Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh |
| Type | Freshwater monsoonal wetland |
| Ecological significance | Habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds |
| Status | State-designated bird sanctuary |
| Wetland type | Seasonal freshwater lake (Ramsar type: inland surface water) |
Significance of Shekha Jheel:
- Located in the Gangetic Plain — a critical flyway for Central Asian migratory birds
- Supports a variety of waterfowl including ducks, cranes, storks, and waders during winter months
- Provides water recharge, flood regulation, and supports local agricultural communities
Wetlands — Why They Matter (UPSC Context)
Ecosystem Services of Wetlands
| Service | Function |
|---|---|
| Carbon sink | Peatlands store 30% of Earth’s soil carbon despite covering only 3% of land |
| Flood regulation | Absorb excess water during monsoon; reduce downstream flooding |
| Water purification | Filter pollutants, sediments, and nutrients |
| Biodiversity | Support 40% of world’s species despite covering <1% of land |
| Climate regulation | Cooling effect; regulate local microclimates |
| Livelihood | Support fisheries, agriculture, and tourism |
India’s Wetland Policy Framework
| Instrument | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 | Replaced 2010 rules; prohibits reclamation, pollution, and construction in notified wetlands |
| National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) | MoEFCC centrally-sponsored scheme for identified wetlands |
| National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) | Merged NWCP and NLCP; conservation of lakes and wetlands |
| Ramsar sites designation | Provides international recognition; no additional legal protection under Indian law |
Threats to Indian Wetlands
- Encroachment and reclamation — for agriculture and real estate
- Pollution — industrial, agricultural runoff, and sewage discharge
- Invasive species — Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) choking water bodies
- Climate change — altered rainfall patterns, increased evaporation
- Siltation — from upstream deforestation and poor land use
Key Ramsar Sites to Remember for UPSC
| Site | State | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | Largest coastal lagoon in Asia; Irrawaddy dolphins |
| Keoladeo Ghana | Rajasthan | Migratory birds; UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Wular Lake | J&K | Largest freshwater lake in India |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | Largest freshwater lake in NE India; floating phumdis |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | World’s largest mangrove; Royal Bengal Tiger |
| Kolleru Lake | Andhra Pradesh | Between Krishna and Godavari rivers |
| Deepor Beel | Assam | Elephant habitat; near Guwahati |
| Bhitarkanika | Odisha | Saltwater crocodiles; mangroves |
| Nalsarovar | Gujarat | Important bird sanctuary |
| Point Calimere | Tamil Nadu | Flamingo habitat |
UPSC Relevance
Prelims Angle
- India’s 99th Ramsar site: Shekha Jheel, Aligarh, UP
- First Ramsar sites in India: Chilika Lake + Keoladeo Ghana (1981)
- Ramsar Convention: 1971, Ramsar (Iran); in force 1975
- Ramsar Secretariat: Gland, Switzerland
- World Wetlands Day: February 2
- Tamil Nadu has the highest number of Ramsar sites among Indian states (20); UP has 12
Mains Angle
- Wetlands’ role in climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Conflict between wetland conservation and development pressure
- Effectiveness of Ramsar designation in the absence of additional legal protection
Facts Corner
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| India’s 99th Ramsar site | Shekha Jheel, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
| First Indian Ramsar sites | Chilika Lake (Odisha) + Keoladeo Ghana (Rajasthan) — 1981 |
| Ramsar signed | 1971, Ramsar, Iran |
| Ramsar in force | 1975 |
| Ramsar Secretariat | Gland, Switzerland |
| World Wetlands Day | February 2 |
| India’s Ramsar area | ~13.26 lakh hectares |
| India’s total Ramsar sites | 99 |
| Most Ramsar sites (state) | Tamil Nadu (20); UP has 12 |
| Wetlands cover globally | ~6% of Earth’s surface |
