Context: Recently, the Union environment ministry announced that India has added 10 more wetlands, taking the total Ramsar sites to 64.

Key highlights

• The 10 new sites include: Six (6) sites in Tamil Nadu and One (1) each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

These are

In Tamil Nadu

• Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary,

• Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve,

• Vembannur Wetland Complex,

• Vellode Bird Sanctuary,

• Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and

• Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary

Other

• Satkosia Gorge in Odisha

• Nanda Lake in Goa

• Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka

• Sirpur Wetland in Madhya Pradesh.

Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary

• It is the largest reserve for breeding resident and migratory water birds in south India.

• It is an important biodiversity area forming part of the central Asian flyway.

• The wetland also irrigates about 190 acres of paddy.

Nanda Lake in Goa

• It has freshwater marshes that lie adjacent to one of the major rivulets of the Zuari river.

• The stored water is also utilised to cultivate paddy downstream of the lake and supports fishing and recreation.

• Avifauna: Black-headed ibis, Common kingfisher, Wire-tailed swallow, Bronze-winged jacana, Brahminy kite among others.

Satkosia Gorge

• It spreads along the Mahanadi River in Odisha.

• The wetland is a mosaic of marshes and evergreen forests.

• The forests of these catchments play a vital role in the prevention of the gorge siltation.

• They also help in maintaining a desirable depth of water crucial for the endangered gharial population.

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

• It is one of the most important wetlands, located on the south-eastern coastline.

• It is unique for its rich marine environment.

• It is home to highly threatened species such as the Dugong, whale shark, seahorses, balanoglossus, green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, dolphins, sacred chanks, etc.

Significance

• Designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources.