Introduction and Current News:

Recently, the Indian government declared Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in TamilNadu, along with Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh, as three new Ramsar Sites making India’s total Ramsar Sites to 85. Currently, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh lead with the highest number of Ramsar Sites.

Key Insights on the New Ramsar Sites:

  • Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary:

Located in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu, the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary spreads across 125.865 hectares. This sanctuary is home to various bird species and relies on rainfall from the Nallar drainage for sustenance. In addition to its historical importance as a site restored by a local king centuries ago, it's currently guarded and managed by both the local community and the Forest Department.

  • Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary:

This sanctuary is located on the Coromandel Coast in the Villupuram district, North of Pondicherry, covering over 5151.6 hectares. Notably, this sanctuary is vital with diverse water features and various specific plant species.

  • Tawa Reservoir:

Constructed primarily for irrigation purposes, Tawa Reservoir lies within the Satpura Tiger Reserve and near the city of Itarsi in Madhya Pradesh. The reservoir is home to a variety of wildlife, and the Tawa River, the reservoir's longest tributary, flows through several districts before joining the Narmada River.

About Ramsar Convention:

The Ramsar Convention, officially ratified by India in 1982, is an international treaty signed in 1971 focused on conserving wetlands of international significance. As part of this convention, Montreux Record makes a record of wetland sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, or are likely due to human interference or technological developments.

General Knowledge (GK) Component:

  • Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is Tamil Nadu's 17th bird sanctuary.
  • Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is connected to the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Tawa Reservoir is located within the Satpura Tiger Reserve and is also used for power generation and aquaculture.
  • The Ramsar Convention, initially signed in Iran in 1971, focuses on the conservation of internationally important wetlands.
  • Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites undergoing significant ecological changes. 

Importance:

The declaration of these sites as Ramsar sites underlines the significance of these wetlands, helping in the conservation and protection on a global scale. These wetlands play a crucial role in countering climate change, hosting a diversity of species, and supporting the livelihoods of many local communities.