NEW DELHI: India has added two bird sanctuaries in Bihar to its list of internationally important wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, tying with China for the third-highest number of sites globally. India now has 82 such sites, while the UK leads with 175, followed by Mexico with 144.
Over the past decade, the number of Indian Ramsar sites has grown from 26 to 82, with 40 added in the last three years alone. The two newest additions, Nagi and Nakti bird sanctuaries, were added on World Environment Day on Wednesday. These sanctuaries are man-made reservoirs in the Jhajha forest range of Jamui district, Bihar.
Wetlands, covered by water either temporarily or permanently, play crucial roles in the hydrological cycle, flood control, water supply, and the provision of resources like food and raw materials.
The Convention, adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, aims to conserve and wisely use these wetlands across its 172 member countries, including India.
Nakti bird sanctuary was initially developed for irrigation with the construction of the Nakti dam, according to details submitted by India. In 1984, the wetland was designated as a bird sanctuary due to its significance as a wintering habitat for many migratory species. Over 20,000 birds gather there during winter, including one of the largest groups of red-crested pochards in the Indo-Gangetic plain.
Nagi Bird Sanctuary was created by damming the Nagi River, forming water bodies with aquatic vegetation and clear water. It supports over 75 bird species, 33 fish species, and 12 aquatic plants and is notable for hosting one of the largest congregations of bar-headed geese in the Indo-Gangetic plain.
