Context: India has recently expanded its list of Ramsar Sites, by adding 5 more wetlands on the eve of World Wetlands Day 2024, which brings the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 80.

About the New Ramsar Sites

1) Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Karnataka)

• It is a human-made Village Irrigation Tank that supports over 30,000 waterbirds.

• It is rich in biodiversity, housing over 240 bird species, including Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis.

2) Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka)

• It spreads over 4801 ha at the confluence of Aghanashini River and the Arabian Sea.

• It provides diverse ecosystem services, and supports fishing, agriculture, and livelihoods.

• It regularly hosts over 43,000 counts of 66 waterbird species.

3) Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Karnataka)

• It is a human-made wetland constructed for rainwater storage (50 hectares).

• It is home to 166 bird species, including vulnerable and near-threatened species.

• It is designated as an Important Bird Area and a priority area for conservation.

4) Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)

• It is a significant inland wetland for groundwater recharge.

• It supports agricultural activities in the region.

• It recorded 198 bird species, including Bar-headed Goose and Common Pochard.

5) Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Tamil Nadu)

• It is a tropical rain forests found in the upper reaches of Tamil Nadu.

• It is habitat for globally endangered and vulnerable bird species.

• 14 out of 26 endemic bird species of the Western Ghats are found here.

Other key facts

• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.

• India has seen a significant increase in Ramsar sites from 26 to 80 in the last ten years, with 38 added in the last 3 years alone.

• Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have the second and highest number of Ramsar sites, respectively.

• World Wetlands Day 2024 was celebrated on 2nd February with the theme- ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing.'