Why In The News?

• Tawa Reservoir of Madhya Pradesh have been recognised as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, taking the tally to 85.

Tawa Reservoir:

=> It is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Narmadapuram district.

=> Its inclusion underscores our commitment to preserving these vital ecosystems, which play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, water purification, and flood control.

Ramsar Convention:

=> A Ramsar site denotes a wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, adopted in Ramsar, Iran, an intergovernmental treaty established by UNESCO in 1971 and effective from 1975.

=> Countries that are parties to the convention commit to designating wetlands of international importance within their territories.

=> It promotes efforts to conserve wetlands and use their resources sustainably, focusing on wetlands that are crucial for biodiversity, especially those that are waterfowl habitats.

=> India has been a party to the Convention since 1982.

Criteria:

• Supporting vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species; or
• Threatened ecological communities; or,
• If it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds; or,
• Is an important source of food for fishes, spawning grounds, and nursery.