NEW DELHI: India’s one more wetland, Gogabeel Lake in Katihar district of Bihar, has got a tag of international importance as a Ramsar site, bringing the total number of such protected sites in the country to 94.
Bihar has now six Ramsar sites, standing at third position in the country after Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. India, meanwhile, continues to be at the top in Asia and third in the world after the UK (176) and Mexico (144) in terms of total number of Ramsar sites under a global convention. Globally, there are 2,546 Ramsar sites.
“The Lake, which makes up most of the site, is Bihar’s first community reserve and is conserved and managed by the local community,” said the Convention secretariat about the Gogabeel Lake, which is an oxbow wetland situated between the rivers Ganga and Mahananda. During floods, the lake joins the two rivers.
“Bihar scores a six! On a day we are celebrating National Unity Day, I am thrilled to share that India continues its stride in wetlands conservation,” Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav posted on X while announcing addition of one more site from the state in the elite list.
He said, “With this recognition, the total no. of Ramsar sites in the country rises to 94, adding 67 sites in the last 11 years, covering an area of 13,60,805 hectares.”
The wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily or permanently. Such areas play a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials.
A global Convention to protect such areas was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across its 172-member countries including India.
Even the previous two wetlands (92nd and 93rd) - Gokul Jalashay of Buxar district and Udaipur Jheel of West Champaran district - added to the Ramsar list are in Bihar.
Bihar has now six Ramsar sites, standing at third position in the country after Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. India, meanwhile, continues to be at the top in Asia and third in the world after the UK (176) and Mexico (144) in terms of total number of Ramsar sites under a global convention. Globally, there are 2,546 Ramsar sites.
“The Lake, which makes up most of the site, is Bihar’s first community reserve and is conserved and managed by the local community,” said the Convention secretariat about the Gogabeel Lake, which is an oxbow wetland situated between the rivers Ganga and Mahananda. During floods, the lake joins the two rivers.
“Bihar scores a six! On a day we are celebrating National Unity Day, I am thrilled to share that India continues its stride in wetlands conservation,” Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav posted on X while announcing addition of one more site from the state in the elite list.
He said, “With this recognition, the total no. of Ramsar sites in the country rises to 94, adding 67 sites in the last 11 years, covering an area of 13,60,805 hectares.”
The wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarily or permanently. Such areas play a key role in hydrological cycle and flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials.
A global Convention to protect such areas was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across its 172-member countries including India.
Even the previous two wetlands (92nd and 93rd) - Gokul Jalashay of Buxar district and Udaipur Jheel of West Champaran district - added to the Ramsar list are in Bihar.
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