India’s ten more wetlands get Ramsar recognition, six from Tamil Nadu

“This International recognition is a matter of great pride and goes hand in hand with Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission” : TN CM MK Stalin

New Delhi: India’s ten more wetlands have got the Ramsar recognition as a wetlands of international importance to make a total 64 sites covering an area of 12,50,361 ha in the country.

Among the ten new sites six are from Tamil Nadu, one each from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.

“Designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources” said the Environment Ministry.

“Absolutely thrilled to inform that 10 more Indian wetlands have got Ramsar recognition as wetlands of international importance”said the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav.

“Every environment lover will feel happy that 10 more wetlands in India have been designated as Ramsar sites. Last month, 5 sites achieved the same recognition. This will deepen our commitment to protect our natural surroundings” he tweeted.

The sites from Tamil Nadu are Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Vembannur Wetland Complex, Vellode Bird Sanctuary,  Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary.
     
Ranganathituu BS  from karnataka, Sirpur wetland from Madhya Pradesh, Nanda Lake Goa, and Satkosia Gorge from Odisha.

Congratulating the forest department, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said, This takes the Ramsar recognition tally of Tamil Nadu to 10. This International recognition is a matter of great pride and goes hand in hand with Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission.

” I congratulate TN  Forest Department on this sterling achievement” he added.

Last month,five wetlands got Ramsar recognition as wetlands of international importance.

These sites include three wetlands (Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest & Pichavaram Mangrove) in Tamil Nadu, one (Pala wetland) in Mizoram and one wetland (Sakhya Sagar) in Madhya Pradesh.

India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.

India signed it on 1st Feb 1982. So far 64 wetlands covering an area of 12,50,361 ha have been designated as Ramsar Sites of International Importance from India, till date.