Two New Ramsar sites designated in India: Key Facts

October 27, 2020

The Kabartal Wetland in Bihar and Asan Conservation Reserve in Uttrakhand have been designated as Ramsar sites, building them ‘Wetlands of International Importance’.

What are the Key Features of Kabartal Wetland?

Kabartal Wetland also called as Kanwar Jheel. It protects the 2,620 hectares of the Indo-Gangetic plains in the Begusarai district of Bihar. It acts as important flood buffer for the area other than giving livelihood chance to local communities. Significant biodiversity is available, with 165 plant species and 394 animal species recorded, including 221 bird species. It is also a valuable site for fish biodiversity with over 50 species recorded.

It is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory waterbirds using it to relax and refuel.

Five important endangered species live in the site, including three vultures – the red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) – and two waterbirds, the sociable lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) and Baer’s pochard (Aythya baeri).

Major warnings to the Site contain water management projet such as drainage, water abstraction, damming and canalization.

What are the key features of Asan Conservation Reserve?

ACR is a 444-hectare stretch of the Asan River running down to its convergence with the Yamuna River in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. It is Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar Site.

The damming of the River by the Asan Barrage in 1967 follows in siltation above the dam wall, which supports to create some of the Site’s bird-friendly habitats.

These habitats keep up 330 type of birds as well as the carelessly endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Baer’s pochard (Aythya baeri).

What is Ramsar Convention in Wetlands site?

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty affect in 1971 within the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shore of the Caspian. It came into effect for India on 1st February, 1982. The wetlands which are of international importance are proclaim as Ramsar sites.

What is the mission of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands?

The mission is “the preservation and sage use of all wetlands through group and national actions and international cooperation, as a present towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.

What is Montreux Record?

It is a listing of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International importance. The swap in environmental nature have happened, are happening, or are likely to happen as a outcome of automation developments, pollution or other human invasion. It is continue as part of the Ramsar List.